The burdens of kingship and of failing health weigh heavily upon Henry IV. After his victory at Shrewsbury, he has to organise a new campaign against the northern rebels. Disappointed in Prince Hal, who returns to his customary low haunts in London, the King sends his younger son, John of Lancaster, to negotiate with the rebel leaders. Falstaff journeys to Gloucestershire to muster recruits, and there falls in with an acquaintance, a simple country Justice, Master Shallow. (Covers 2 Henry IV Act 3 S1—conclusion)
A linking together of Shakespeare's history plays — Richard II, 1 Henry IV, 2 Henry IV, Henry V, 1 Henry VI, 2 Henry VI, 3 Henry VI, and Richard III — chronicling the rise and fall of monarchs over the 86 years between Richard II and Richard III.
