n.
orig. Henry Bolingbroke
born April? 1366, Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire, Eng.
died March 20, 1413, London
King of England (13991413), first of three 15th-century monarchs of the house of Lancaster .
Son of John of Gaunt , he initially supported Richard II against the duke of Gloucester but turned against him after being banished in 1398. He invaded England in 1399, forcing Richard's surrender and abdication. Having gained the crown by usurpation, he successfully consolidated his power in the face of repeated uprisings of powerful nobles. However, he failed to subdue the Welsh under Owen Glendower , was defeated by the Scots, and was unable to overcome the fiscal and administrative weaknesses that contributed to the eventual downfall of the Lancastrian dynasty. He was succeeded by his son, Henry V .