# Lord Chief Justice — Henry IV, Part II character guide

> Lord Chief Justice in Henry IV, Part II by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Chief Justice, the Lord Chief Justice

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

## Snapshot

The realm's stern legal conscience, he once jailed the heir to the throne and now faces a new king who may remember that insult.

## Who they are

The Lord Chief Justice embodies the rule of law in a play full of men who break it, and he has the courage to rebuke Falstaff to his face. When King Henry IV dies, he stands in the coldest expectation, knowing that the young king he once imprisoned may now be his judge. His refusal to beg for mercy and his insistence that he acted in honor make him the play's clearest test of whether justice can survive a change of reign.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

The Lord Chief Justice confronts Falstaff about his past crimes and his corrupting influence on Prince Hal, but ultimately lets him go.

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

Intervenes in the arrest, rebukes Falstaff, and inquires about news.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

The Chief Justice fears the new king's disfavor due to his past imprisonment of Prince Hal, but ultimately receives the king's trust and appointment as advisor.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-v)

Arrests Falstaff and his company, carrying out the king's command to banish them.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/lord_chief_justice
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters