1.1 The King regrets he must call off the Crusade he planned after the civil wars caused by his coming to the throne. Although the King's agent Mortimer was defeated and taken captive by Glendower in Wales, Hotspur has defeated the Scots for the king, but has withheld his captives from him. The king wishes that his son, Prince Hal, were more like Hotspur.
1.2 Though Prince Hal is friends with the knight Falstaff, he initially refuses to take part in a robbery until Poins suggests that he and the prince rob Falstaff after they commit robbery. Alone, the Prince shows his intent to throw off his low friends to make himself look good in his royal role.
1.3 The King banishes Worcester when he reminds him that the Percy's were instrumental in his ascendancy to the throne. (Click here to see chart.) Hotspur gives an excuse for not turning over his prisoners, but now refuses until the king ransoms Hotspur's brother-in-law Mortimer. Worcester and Northumberland
reveal that Mortimer was the designated heir of
the former king, Richard II. They plan to rebel against the king along with Douglas and Glendower.
2.1 Poins and Gadshill decide on a target for the robbery, a landowner and his men carrying three hundred marks in gold.
2.2 Falstaff, Gadshill, Bardolph and Peto rob the travellers. In turn, Prince Hal and Poins in disguise rob Falstaff and his men.
2.3 Hotspur reads a letter from a nobleman declining to join Hotspur in his rebellion. Hotspur is enraged and realizes that the King will learn of his plans. Lady Percy, his wife, enters and is deeply worried about him. He will not tell her of his plans but does comfort her.
2.4 At the Boar's Head Tavern in Eastcheap, Falstaff recounts his
robbery of the travellers and then, exaggerating his bravery, tells the
Prince how he was in turn robbed. Prince Hal reveals that he and Poins
robbed the four thieves and Falstaff excuses
his cowardice as "instinct." With news of the Percies' rebellion, the Prince and Falstaff role-play at being King and Prince, to rehearse Hal's excuse. A sheriff appears looking for a fat man implicated in a robbery, and the Prince covers for Falstaff and promises repayment.
3.1 The rebel leaders--Mortimer, Worcester and Hotspur-- plan with Glendower to divide England. Hotspur is not satisfied
with his allotment, but reaches agreement with Glendower .
Their wives appear, and Lady Mortimer sings before the men disperse.
3.2 Henry IV berates Hal for his behavior, and Hal promises to prove
himself in battle against the Percies. Soothed, the King entrusts Prince Hal with royal forces.
3.3 Falstaff tries to get out of paying Mistress Quickly , and the
Prince clears up his charge of robbery, makes up for the robbery, and gives Falstaff command over infantry forces.
4.1 At Shrewsbury, Percy learns that both his ill father and Glendower will not appear with their forces. Young Percy and Douglas appear undaunted, even if their army is vastly outnumbered.
4.2 Prince Hal meets Falstaff and his rag-a-muffin foot soldiers,
drafted so that Falstaff gets money from draftees.
4.3 The King sends Sir Walter Blunt with an offer of pardon, but Hotspur rejects it, though he promises to send word in the morning.
4.4 The Archbishop of York fears that the rebellion will fail and sends off a letter to allies that the King will likely move against them.
5.1 The King re-offers pardon to Worcester, and Prince Hal offers to meet
Hotspur in battle in a one-on-one battle. Falstaff does not care for war
and wishes to avoid battle.
5.2 Worcester and Vernon decide not to inform Hotspur of the King's offer to pardon the rebels. Hotspur learns of the Prince's offer of single battle. The war between the two armies begins.
5.3 Douglas kills Blunt, thinking him to be the King. Falstaff appears, his foot soldiers killed in battle. Prince Hal appears and rebukes Falstaff for joking (replacing pistol with sack) inappropriately.
5.4 Though wounded, Prince Hal and his younger brother arrive but refuse the King's request to rest and depart. Prince Hal protects his father as Douglas is about to kill the King; Douglas flees for his life. Hal kills Hotspur in battle as Falstaff feigns death to escape Douglas' attack. Hal mourns Hotspur and the
apparently dead Falstaff. Falstaff rises, sees Hotspur and stabs him one
more time with his sword. Prince Hal and John reappear, and Falstaff
takes credit for killing Hotspur
and Prince Hal allows him this. The rebels are defeated.
5.5 King Henry puts Worcester and Vernon to death. Prince Hal asks for charge of Douglas, then sets him free. The King sets plans to defeat in battle -- with forces led by John and the Earl of Westmoreland -- Northumberland and Archbishop Scroop. The King and Prince Hal will defeat Glendower and Mortimer.