Book Review: The History of Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare

Author: William Shakespeare
Title: The History of Henry IV, Part 1
Publication Info: New York : Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2020. [Originated circa 1597]
Summary/Review:

Of the Shakespearean English histories I’ve read so far, this one is the least stand alone.  It definitely feels like it’s setting up Henry IV, Part 2 and Henry V.  King Henry IV has a couple of problems: first, he falls out with Henry Percy – a.k.a. Hotspur – who allies with Welsh and Scottish rebels against the king.  Meanwhile, his son Prince Hal is leading a licentious life with his rowdy friend Sir John Falstaff.  I’ve known from reading about Shakespeare that Falstaff was an incredibly popular character, cowardly yet quick-witted, but I found him kind of irritating.  Hopefully, I’ll find him more entertaining in upcoming plays.  The various storylines come together with Prince Hal regaining the king’s affections by fighting the rebels at the Battle of Shrewsbury.

Rating: ***

I’m reading every Shakespeare play, one per month, in chronological order.  Here’s my progress thus far:

In this video, I visit a spooky abandoned graveyard just outside Bewdley in England.

Once a place of Christian worship, Dowles Graveyard is now reputedly a site of devil worship and holds two women with disturbing stories. One of demonic possession, the other known as "The Bewdley Witch".

https://youtu.be/cVHBXkzXG_Y

#history #englishhistory #video #england #getoudoors #getoutside #explore #youtube #witch #bewdley #graveyard #devilworship #spooky #abandoned

#OnThisDay, 12 Mar 1994, the first 32 women are ordained as priests in the Church of England. Angela Berners-Wilson was the very first.

#WomenInHistory #OTD #History #WomensHistory #WomensHistoryMonth #EnglishHistory #Histodons

Hidden in Shropshire is a priory whose origin is unclear, and is reputedly haunted. Join me as I explore White Ladies Priory and talk about the site, and a little about its ghosts.

https://youtu.be/_FMmIBFdsIY

#history #englishhistory #video #shropshire #england #ghost #ghosts #haunted #getoudoors #getoutside #explore

Already binged the new #Bridgerton episodes & can't get enough of the British upper class?
May we suggest some further reading on #Diana & #QueenVictoria ? Details on each book in the replies! 👑

#BritishStudies #BritishHistory #EnglishHistory #Anglistik

England's Last Traditional Clog Maker Carves a Legacy

Why is Jeremy Atkinson the last clog maker in England? He uses 30-year-old wood to make shoes that help people walk better and keep history alive in 2026.

#clogmaking, #jeremyatkinson, #traditionalcrafts, #handmadeuk, #englishhistory

https://newsletter.tf/why-jeremy-atkinson-is-the-last-traditional-clog-maker-in-england/

Jeremy Atkinson is the only man left in England making shoes by hand from wood and leather. He uses trees that are 20 to 30 years old to create footwear that lasts longer than modern shoes.

#clogmaking, #jeremyatkinson, #traditionalcrafts, #handmadeuk, #englishhistory

https://newsletter.tf/why-jeremy-atkinson-is-the-last-traditional-clog-maker-in-england/

I visit the ruins of 12th century Haughmond Abbey in Shropshire, England. I look around and talk a little bit about the place.

https://youtu.be/SmbTnXjS_JQ

#history #shropshire #england #english #englishhistory #video #getoutside #getoutdoors #abbey #ghosts #haunted #albion #youtube #explore

Скликання першого представницького парламенту в Англії
https://buymeacoffee.com/valdeloir/nipahulehi

#історіяАнглії #СередньовічнаПолітика #ПершийПарламент #СимонДеМонфор #Вестмінстер
#EnglishHistory #MedievalPolitics #FirstParliament #SimonDeMontfort #Westminster

Вестмінстерський договір.
https://buymeacoffee.com/valdeloir/jowibizupe

#Середньовіччя #АнглійськаІсторія #МагнаКарта #ОбмеженняВлади #ВерховенствоПрава
#MedievalHistory #EnglishHistory #MagnaCarta #RuleOfLaw #Constitutionalism