Henry IV

Henry VI Image Attribution Dulwich Picture Gallery / Public domain

Henry IV was born at Bolingbroke Castle in April 1367. He was the son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Blanche of Lancaster (who was also born in Bolingbroke Castle in 1342). Henry was probably christened shortly after his birth in St. Peter & St, Paul Church. The font dates from this era and may have been used for this ceremony. His mother died the following year, possibly of the plague which was sweeping through England at the time. Henry was raised by, and remained close to Katherine Swynford, who later became his step-mother. As a young man he was a friend and companion of Richard (also born in 1367) who was his cousin, and became King Richard II in 1377. They were both grandsons of Edward III. As befitting his status he became a leading military figure, participating in Crusades to the Baltics in 1390 and the Holy Land the following year.

In 1398 Richard II exiled Henry and upon the death of John of Gaunt in 1399, the King confiscated Henry’s vast inheritance. This action precipitated Henry’s return to England to re-claim his inheritance and ultimately to de-throne Richard and assume the title of King of England. It was shortly after this event that Henry established the Duchy of Lancaster in its present form, with its administrative centre in Bolingbroke Castle.

Henry IV died at the age of 45 in Westminster Abbey in 1413 and was buried at his request with his wife, Joan of Navarre, in Cantebury Cathedral.