Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 1 The crises of…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 1 The crises of 1399–1405: 'Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown' – Henry IV and the problems arising from his behaviour in 1399: the first stirrings of revolt and the death of Richard in 1400.
Henry IV's crown brought insecurity.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Henry IV's crown brought insecurity. His 1399 behaviour, seizing the throne and bypassing the young Edmund Mortimer's claim, gave rivals a grievance. The Epiphany Rising of January 1400, led by earls including Huntingdon and Kent, aimed to restore Richard II; Henry acted quickly and the rebels were killed. Richard then died in Pontefract Castle in February 1400, probably starved, removing the focus of plots but fuelling rumours that Henry had him murdered. Henry faced further Welsh and Percy revolts, showing that usurpation created lasting problems of legitimacy, finance and noble loyalty.
What earns the marks
- Explains how Henry's seizure of the crown in 1399 created a legitimacy problem, including the rival Mortimer claim.
- Analyses the Epiphany Rising of January 1400 as the first significant revolt against Henry IV.
- Assesses the significance of Richard II's death at Pontefract in February 1400 for Henry's security and reputation.
- Evaluates how Henry's treatment of opponents and his reliance on supporters shaped further unrest.
- Connects the 1400 crises to later revolts such as the Welsh rebellion and the Percy risings.
- Weighs whether the problems were caused by Henry's behaviour in 1399 or by wider structural weaknesses of late medieval kingship.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the Epiphany Rising of 1400 with the later Percy rebellion.
Put it right: Is to date and name each revolt accurately.
Stating that Richard II died in battle.
Put it right: Is that he died at Pontefract Castle in February 1400, probably starved.
Treating Richard's death as ending all opposition.
Put it right: Is that it removed a figurehead but did not remove grievances over legitimacy and governance.
Exam tips
- Use the quotation as a prompt to discuss the burdens of kingship, not as a required structure for the essay.
- Link each revolt to a specific cause, such as legitimacy, taxation or noble grievance, to show analysis rather than narrative.
- Support judgements with named individuals, dates and places, for example the Epiphany Rising, Huntingdon and Pontefract.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 1 The crises of 1399–1405: 'Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown' – Henry IV and the problems arising from his behaviour in 1399: the first stirrings of revolt and the death of Richard in 1400. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the immediate consequence of Richard II's death in February 1400 for Henry IV's position?
Listen
Henry IV's crown brought insecurity. His 1399 behaviour, seizing the throne and bypassing the young Edmund Mortimer's claim, gave rivals a grievance. The Epiphany Rising of January 1400, led by earls including Huntingdon and Kent, aimed to restore Richard II; Henry acted quickly and the rebels were killed. Richard then died in Pontefract Castle in February 1400, probably starved, removing the focus of plots but fuelling rumours that Henry had him murdered. Henry faced further Welsh and Percy revolts, showing that usurpation created lasting problems of legitimacy, finance and noble loyalty. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how Henry's seizure of the crown in 1399 created a legitimacy problem, including the rival Mortimer claim. Analyses the Epiphany Rising of January 1400 as the first significant revolt against Henry IV. Assesses the significance of Richard II's death at Pontefract in February 1400 for Henry's security and reputation. Evaluates how Henry's treatment of opponents and his reliance on supporters shaped further unrest. A common slip: Confusing the Epiphany Rising of 1400 with the later Percy rebellion. Instead, is to date and name each revolt accurately. Exam tip: Use the quotation as a prompt to discuss the burdens of kingship, not as a required structure for the essay.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Legitimacy and usurpation
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Rebellion and noble loyalty
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Reputation and rumour
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Consolidation of royal authority
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Legitimacy and usurpation
- Seizing the throne and bypassing the young Edmund Mortimer's claim gave rivals a grievance, creating lasting problems of legitimacy.
- Rebellion and noble loyalty
- The Epiphany Rising aimed to restore Richard II, and Henry's reliance on supporters shaped further unrest and problems of noble loyalty.
- Reputation and rumour
- Richard's death probably by starvation fuelled rumours that Henry had him murdered, damaging his reputation.
- Consolidation of royal authority
- Henry acted quickly against the rebels, who were killed, but usurpation created lasting problems of legitimacy, finance and noble loyalty.
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