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Henry IV

The Righteous King

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Henry IV

By: Ian Mortimer
Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
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The talented, confident, and intelligent son of John of Gaunt, Henry IV started his reign as a popular and charismatic king after he dethroned the tyrannical and wildly unpopular Richard II. But six years into his reign, Henry had survived eight assassination and overthrow attempts.

Having broken God's law of primogeniture by overthrowing the man many people saw as the chosen king, Henry IV left himself vulnerable to challenges from powerful enemies about the validity of his reign. Even so, Henry managed to establish the new Lancastrian dynasty and a new rule of law - in highly turbulent times.

In this book, noted historian Ian Mortimer, author of The Time Traveler's Guide to Elizabethan London, explores the political and social forces that transformed Henry IV from his nation's savior to its scourge.

©2014 Ian Mortimer (P)2017 Tantor Biographies & Memoirs Europe Great Britain Medieval Politicians Politics & Activism England Royalty Tudor Middle Ages Scotland Medieval History
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Critic reviews

"[Mortimer] has an instinctive sympathy for the men about whom he writes, a real understanding of the mentalities of late medieval England, and a vivid historical imagination which lends colour and excitement to his pages" ( Literary Review)
Balanced Perspective • Rich Historical Detail • Masterful Narration • Insightful Analysis • Educational Content

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I always thought the most interesting Henry IV was the French one (first Bourbon, changed religions the *opposite* way of the norm at the time, basically caused two kings to be murdered, himself and his predecessor) and the English one to be more of a transition figure between two very different eras. But turns out Bolingbroke was quite an admirable figure, one who challenged and changed the norms and paradigms of his time, and triumphed. It’s so curious and ironic, however, that what most greatly plagued the son and heir of John of Gaunt (one of the richest men in human history, when you adjust his wealth for inflation and other factors) was… an eternal lack of money.
I particularly enjoyed the investigative work, where Mortimer becomes a detective to analyze questions such as whether Henry had Richard II murdered, or why he decided to trace his claim to the throne back to Henry III instead of Edward III, why a sincerely pious and devotedly religious man would have a king murdered and a bishop executed, or when was it that he became so ill.
While the first two Henryses will remain as the most interesting ones, the IV one will most likely supplant his son the V, his fellow usurper the VII, or even the too-famous VIII in your estimation, after you finish this great biography.

You will never think of Henry IV the same way again.

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This book reveals both history and culture in the time of Richard II and Henry IV. Ian Mortimer questions history and presents thought forming insights to the events of this time.

Amazing

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Everything I’ve read or listened to from Ian Mortimer has been fantastic. He writes in a very accessible way—one can work the whole day, make dinner for the kids, then sit back and have a nice relaxing read. YET…somehow Mortimer packs loads of historical info and personal details about people who lived hundred of years ago. Henry IV is no exception. It’s an an amazing book that anyone who’s interested in history should read.

Henry IV is brought to life in a way that sometimes makes him feel like an old friend from college you haven’t seen in years. The reader learns about Henry’s ambitions & his fears & that the guy had a massive sweet tooth! Further, the world Henry inhabited is layered richly: family relations & tensions, politics, religion, economics, warfare—it’s all there. The book outlines the tragic relationship between King Richard & Henry before he was King & while obviously written from Henry’s perspective Mortimer makes the reader really feel for both men.

This book is both fun and educational. I really think any history buff will enjoy it!

Reads Like a Novel But With Lots More Info

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Compelling central character, very thoughtfully considered. Balanced. I am compelled to find an excellent Henry V biography (and VI and VII!).

Great research, very good prose.

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Just coming off a book on John of Gaunt, I was excited to see what happened to young Henry Bolingbroke after being banished by the petulant Richard II. He was a very sympathetic and heroic seeming character in his youth, doing the tournaments and pilgrimages and stoically receiving Richard’s rebukes and insults. It was very unfortunate to hear all the trouble he had in actually ruling after his heroic invasion of England. I was really rooting for the guy but after putting up with Richard II’s Trumpian style of corrupt personal governance, the English ruling class got in the way of Henry every chance they got. Admittedly his tournament fighting didn’t seem to translate to generalship when fighting the Scots and Welsh, but you can’t say he even had much a chance after being financially throttled by Parliament. It was a real bummer to hear of his false starts and continual pleadings and writhings for money to better his realm. I don’t know if Mortimer was presenting an overly sympathetic picture, but I got no sense this guy was as corrupt as Richard II and he seemed to have double the problems getting money from parliament. Did Richard drain all the treasury and Henry get the blame? Why was parliament so obstinate after acknowledging Henry’s right to the throne and supporting his ascension? It just made little sense to me. After bending to Richard’s whims for so long, with a more merciful and pro social king, did the English lords want to reassert their bruised egos and pretensions to rule more directly? I don’t know but Henry IV came off as a rather tragic character that from the snippets of Shakespeare throughout, has not been the overriding view of the guy presented to history. I read Mortimer’s Henry V randomly a year or so ago after reading something on the black prince and I vaguely recall that guy being cold and unlikable. So Henry IV had to live in the shadow of his father, be rebuked by his king, and then outshined by his morose and strange son.

I feel for the guy. I think he deserves more respect in the larger Plantagenet story. I believe with more widespread support he could’ve done a lot of good for England. Or at least fought some interesting battles with the French.

Mortimer’s great. Highly recommend.

An unfortunate king

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