# Northumberland — Henry IV, Part I character guide

> Northumberland in Henry IV, Part I by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Northumberland, My Lord Northumberland, Brother

**First appearance:** 0004-act-i-scene-iii

## Snapshot

Hotspur's wary father, an earl whose caution tempers his son's fire and whose grievances against King Henry fuel the rebel cause.

## Who they are

Northumberland stands at the head of the Percy family, a great northern lord whose loyalty to the crown has soured into conspiracy. Where his son Hotspur burns for glory, Northumberland counsels delay and calculation, a tension that will test the rebel alliance. His decision to join the uprising against Henry Bolingbroke gives the rebellion its weight and its wavering heart.

## In the story

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Northumberland chides Hotspur for his impatience but ultimately supports the conspiracy against the king.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Absent due to sickness; his letters inform the rebels he cannot join, weakening their enterprise.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Noted as absent due to sickness, weakening the rebel cause.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/northumberland
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters