# Earl of Northumberland — Henry IV, Part II character guide

> Earl of Northumberland in Henry IV, Part II by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

A rebel lord whose grief for his son Hotspur makes him hesitate at the very moment his allies need him to march.

## Who they are

Northumberland is the father of Hotspur, the fiery rebel killed at Shrewsbury, and his grief has made him cautious where once he was bold. He listens to conflicting reports about the battle, refusing to believe his son is dead until Morton forces the truth upon him, and then he must decide whether to join the new rebellion or protect what remains of his family. His hesitation and his wife's pleas expose the human cost of the Percy family's long war against the crown.

## In the story

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

Receives conflicting news of the Battle of Shrewsbury, learns of his son Hotspur's death, and resolves to join the rebellion.

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

Struggles with his honor and the decision to join the rebellion; ultimately resolves to go to Scotland.

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

Urges her husband to flee to Scotland rather than join the rebels.

### [Act IV, Scene I: Gaultree Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Mentioned as having withdrawn his support, retreating to Scotland.

## Links

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