OCR Specification focus:
‘plots, rebellions and assassination attempts, including the Epiphany Rising (1400), Glyndwr Rising (1400–1415), Percy Rebellion (1402–1408)’
The early years of Henry IV’s reign were marked by political instability, internal conspiracies, and open rebellion. His insecure claim to the throne fuelled repeated challenges.
Epiphany Rising (1400)
Causes
Henry IV’s usurpation of Richard II in 1399 left deep resentment among Richard’s loyal supporters.
Richard’s mysterious fate after deposition led to rumours that he was still alive, weakening Henry’s legitimacy.
A group of disaffected nobles, including the Earls of Huntingdon, Kent, Salisbury, and others, sought to restore Richard.
Events
On 6 January 1400, the conspirators planned to seize Henry at Windsor during Epiphany celebrations.
Their aim was to assassinate Henry IV and reinstate Richard II, or at least rally support under the belief Richard lived.
Henry was warned in advance, escaped the trap, and quickly mustered loyal forces.
The rebellion collapsed, and most conspirators were captured and executed.
Significance
This was the first serious test of Henry IV’s rule.
It confirmed suspicions that Richard’s supporters posed an ongoing danger.
The swift suppression showed Henry’s ability to act decisively, but the event exposed the fragility of his regime.
Glyndŵr Rising (1400–1415)
Causes
Led by Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh landowner who claimed princely descent.
Triggered by disputes with Lord Grey of Ruthin over land, compounded by resentment at English dominance in Wales.
Wider support emerged due to:
Heavy English taxation.
Suppression of Welsh culture and law.
A desire for national independence.
Events
1400: Glyndŵr proclaimed Prince of Wales and launched rebellion.
Early victories: attacked English settlements and secured Welsh loyalty.
1403: Gained support from Edmund Mortimer, uncle of the young Earl of March, who had his own claim to the throne.
1404: French aid arrived, strengthening Glyndŵr’s forces.
Glyndŵr held a parliament at Machynlleth, presenting himself as ruler of an independent Wales.
The revolt persisted despite fluctuating fortunes, with guerrilla warfare proving difficult for the English to suppress.
By 1410s, support waned as resources dwindled and English military pressure increased.
Significance
Longest and most dangerous of Henry IV’s challenges.
Demonstrated fragility of royal authority in the regions.
Absorbed substantial resources, preventing Henry from focusing on France.
Glyndŵr became a symbol of Welsh nationalism, remembered long after the rebellion ended.
The Glyndŵr Rising (1400–1415) opened a sustained Welsh front, stretching royal resources and inspiring wider dissidence.
Map showing key locations and phases of Owain Glyndŵr’s revolt across Wales, with labelled towns, castles, and theatres of action. The visual clarifies how the rebellion created a second front against Henry IV. Note: the map includes events extending to 1415, slightly beyond the 1400–1408 focus. Source
Percy Rebellion (1402–1408)
Background and Causes
The powerful Percy family of Northumberland, especially Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and his son ‘Hotspur’, had been early supporters of Henry IV.
Discontent arose because:
They felt under-rewarded for helping Henry to the throne.
Disputes over payments and ransoms from Scottish campaigns.
Anger at Henry’s refusal to ransom Edmund Mortimer after his capture in Wales.
Key Events
Battle of Homildon Hill (1402): Percies defeated the Scots, capturing many nobles, but quarrelled with Henry over prisoners.
1403: Hotspur openly rebelled, marching against Henry.
Alliance with Glyndŵr and Mortimer, aiming to divide the kingdom if victorious.
Defeated at the Battle of Shrewsbury (July 1403). Hotspur killed in combat, Henry IV personally leading troops.
1405: New Percy rising, with Archbishop Scrope of York, also suppressed. Scrope was executed, shocking contemporaries.
1408: Final attempt by Earl of Northumberland ended with defeat at the Battle of Bramham Moor, where he was killed.
Significance
The Percy rebellions were rooted in noble dissatisfaction with Henry’s rewards and treatment of magnates.
The repeated uprisings showed the instability of the nobility’s loyalty.
Shrewsbury was particularly important: Henry IV demonstrated military competence, but the rebellion revealed the high price of betrayal among former allies.
Hotspur’s defeat at Shrewsbury (1403) broke the immediate Percy challenge to Henry IV and curtailed coordination with Welsh forces.
Nineteenth-century engraved plan of the Battle of Shrewsbury, showing the ground north of the town and the relative positions of the opposing forces. It helps students orientate the action and see why terrain mattered to the longbow-dominated engagement. Period cartographic style, but labels remain clear for classroom use. Source
Commemoration followed swiftly: Battlefield Church was founded within a few years, marking the site and the dead of Shrewsbury.
Battlefield Church (St Mary Magdalene), largely built c.1406–1408, stands by the registered battlefield north of Shrewsbury. The church reflects contemporary commemoration of the fallen after Henry IV’s victory. This visual adds topographical context but does not depict tactical details. Source
Broader Impact of Rebellions (1400–1408)
Threats to Henry IV’s Legitimacy
Each rising was connected to questions of dynastic legitimacy.
Richard II’s death remained politically sensitive; the Mortimer claim to the throne was a recurring danger.
Henry’s reign was marked by an atmosphere of conspiracy and mistrust.
Strain on Resources
Campaigns against Glyndŵr, the Scots, and the Percies drained the royal treasury.
Parliament was frequently asked for subsidies, worsening relations between crown and Commons.
Political Consequences
Henry relied heavily on loyal nobles, but alienated some through harsh treatment and executions.
His image as a strong king was damaged by recurring unrest, although his survival proved his resilience and determination.
Rebellions strengthened the sense that dynastic insecurity and regional discontent would be enduring features of Lancastrian rule.
These events between 1400 and 1408 defined the first decade of Henry IV’s reign, showing both the challenges of usurpation and the fragile balance of noble power.
FAQ
The Epiphany Rising collapsed largely due to betrayal. One of the conspirators revealed the plot to Henry IV, allowing him to flee Windsor before the rebels arrived.
The conspirators also underestimated Henry’s ability to gather support quickly. Their reliance on Richard II’s lingering popularity was misplaced, as many nobles were reluctant to risk their positions.
Glyndŵr sought to present himself not just as a rebel but as the rightful Prince of Wales.
He held a parliament at Machynlleth in 1404, where he was formally proclaimed Prince.
He issued letters in his name and styled himself as an independent ruler.
He looked abroad, negotiating alliances with France and even the papacy to strengthen his position.
The Mortimers were central because Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March, had a stronger hereditary claim to the throne than Henry IV.
When Edmund Mortimer was captured by Glyndŵr in 1402, Henry refused to pay his ransom. Mortimer then allied with Glyndŵr, strengthening the rebellion.
This alliance meant that discontented nobles, Welsh rebels, and dynastic claimants were united against the Lancastrian king.
Shrewsbury was the first major battle of Henry IV’s reign and showcased the effectiveness of massed longbowmen on both sides.
Hotspur’s death in battle ended the immediate Percy threat, but the battle was also notable for Henry IV’s personal role in combat.
It highlighted the lethal accuracy of archers, with Prince Henry (later Henry V) famously wounded in the face by an arrow.
Unlike the smaller Epiphany Rising, the Percy Rebellions involved one of the most powerful northern families, with significant military resources.
The Percies commanded armies from Northumberland and had strong influence along the Anglo-Scottish border. Their alliance with Glyndŵr and Mortimer in 1403 created a serious risk of dividing the kingdom.
The rebellion escalated into open battle at Shrewsbury, meaning Henry IV had to risk his life and throne on the battlefield.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
Name one cause of the Glyndŵr Rising (1400–1415) and one cause of the Percy Rebellion (1402–1408).
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for a valid cause of the Glyndŵr Rising, such as:
Dispute with Lord Grey of Ruthin over land.
Resentment at English dominance in Wales.
Desire for Welsh independence and preservation of culture/law.
1 mark for a valid cause of the Percy Rebellion, such as:
Anger over Henry IV’s refusal to ransom Edmund Mortimer.
Disputes over payments and prisoners from the Scottish campaigns.
Feeling under-rewarded for supporting Henry IV’s accession.
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain how rebellions between 1400 and 1408 threatened the stability of Henry IV’s reign.
Mark Scheme:
Level 1 (1–2 marks): General description of rebellions without explicit links to Henry IV’s stability. For example, simply stating that there were “several uprisings” with little detail.
Level 2 (3–4 marks): Some explanation of how specific rebellions created instability. For example:
The Glyndŵr Rising stretched resources and gained French support.
The Percy Rebellion (1403) threatened Henry directly at Shrewsbury.
Level 3 (5–6 marks): Clear, developed explanation making direct connections to Henry’s authority and legitimacy. Answers may include:
The Epiphany Rising showed ongoing threats from Richard II’s supporters.
The Glyndŵr Rising tied down English resources for years, undermining foreign policy.
The Percy Rebellions revealed noble discontent and culminated in a pitched battle where Henry risked death, highlighting dynastic insecurity.
Marks are awarded for range and depth: maximum credit goes to answers which demonstrate knowledge of more than one rebellion and link them explicitly to Henry’s stability.
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