Henry IV, Part 1 is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written not later than 1597. The play dramatises part of the reign of King Henry IV of England, beginning with the battle at Homildon Hill late in 1402, and ending with King Henry's victory in the Battle of Shrewsbury in mid-1403.
 
The play begins as the Yorkists seize power and get the inept Henry VI to disinherit his son in favor of the Yorkist claim. Under this arrangement, Henry is supposed to reign until he dies. However, the Yorkists soon persuade themselves to violate that treaty and take the throne by force. Open war is the result.
 
With a preface, glossary by Israel Gollancz