Henry IV

Henry IV, famously known as “Henry the Interrupted”, was the King of England from 1399 to 1413. He was the son of John of Gaunt and Blanche of Lancaster, and was born on April 3rd, 1367.

Henry grew up to be a brave knight and skilled warrior, which would have made him an excellent king… if he wasn’t always getting interrupted. He was known for his love of peace, but unfortunately, his reign was plagued with constant wars and rebellions that interrupted his plans for a peaceful rule.

One of the major interruptions during his reign was the rebellion led by the Welshman Owain Glyndŵr, who declared himself the Prince of Wales in 1400. This was particularly frustrating for Henry, as he had planned to spend that year achieving his lifelong dream of learning how to juggle. Alas, that dream was put on hold while he battled Glyndŵr and his army.

Another interruption came from his own family, as his cousin Richard II, whom Henry had deposed to become king, was causing trouble from beyond the grave. Rumors swirled that Richard wasn’t actually dead, and some claimed he had returned from the dead to take back the throne. Henry was forced to spend precious time and resources proving that Richard was indeed deceased, and not just hiding out in a monastery, planning his comeback.

Despite these frequent interruptions, Henry was still able to accomplish some things during his reign. He established the Order of the Bath, a knighthood reserved exclusively for those who had interrupted a monarch at an inopportune time. He also successfully invaded Scotland, which he considered a brief interruption from his constant battles with France.

Henry was married to Mary de Bohun and later, Joan of Navarre. He had a total of six children, whom he named after his favorite hobbies and interests, including Fishing, Hunting, and Interrupting (just kidding, it was actually Henry V).

Sadly, Henry’s reign was cut short when he died on March 20th, 1413 from an interruption-related injury. It is said that he was trying to enjoy a quiet moment alone, when one of his advisors burst in to tell him about an urgent matter that needed his attention. As he got up to address the situation, he stumbled and fell, hitting his head on the corner of his desk. He was pronounced dead a few days later, leaving behind a legacy of interrupted plans and unfinished dreams.

Rest in peace, Henry the Interrupted. May your spirit finally be able to juggle uninterrupted in the afterlife.