In 1380 Henry married Mary de Bohun; they had two daughters and four sons, one was the future Henry V of England. One of their daughters, Philippa in 1406, married Eric of Pomerania, king of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Mary died in 1394, and in 1403 Henry married Joanna of Navarre, the daughter of Charles d'Albret, King of Navarre. She was the widow of John IV of Brittany, with whom she had four daughters and four sons, but she and Henry had no children.
Henry's reign was marked by widespread rebellion, including the revolt of Owen Glendower who declared himself Prince of Wales in 1400, and the rebellion of Henry Percy, Duke of Northumberland. The king's success in putting down these rebellions was due partly to the military ability of his eldest son, Henry, who would later become King Henry V of England.
In 1406, English soldiers captured the future James I of Scotland as he was going to France. James remained a prisoner of Henry for the rest of Henry's reign.
Henry IV was overcome by various illnesses, including epilepsy. In 1413,
he died in the Jerusalem Chamber in the house of the Abbot of Westminster
of a skin disease that resembled leprosy. He was buried in Canterbury Cathedral.
His body was well embalmed, as an exhumation some centuries later established.
Preceded by:
Richard II |
List of British Monarchs | Succeeded by:
Henry V |