Henry IV

Henry IV (king from 1399-1413) was the son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.  He had been due to inherit large amounts of land, wealth and power from his father.  When his cousin Richard II seized his inheritance Henry was angry and invaded England from his exile in France. He captured Richard II and forced him to abdicate.

The early years of Henry's reign were marred by rebellions from rival claimants to the throne.  Then in 1400, Wales rebelled under Owain Glyndwr.

Eventually by 1409 the rebellions were crushed. Henry was ill for the last few years of his reign and died in 1413.