Henry IV

The Righteous King

By: Ian Mortimer

Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart

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

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)

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

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.

Amazing

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.

Stumbling narration mars excellent book

The overt pauses between each phrase of more than 3-4 words is so jarring once you notice it’s hard to follow the excellent story. His voice is great but the phrasing is excruciating.

Excellent but lacks epilogue

Very detailed and well-researched. My only complaint: it doesn’t include an epilogue of what happened after his death. Should be something about his children, especially Henry V, what happened to England in the years following his death, etc.

A Great Bio for an Overlooked Monarch

I wanted to know more about the man that I didn't know much about! So if you want to learn about the only monarch that entered the city of Jerusalem. Or about a man driven so forcefully by duty that he overthrew his king then this is the book for you!