# Henry Percy — Richard II character guide

> Henry Percy in Richard II by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** young Harry Percy, Harry, Percy, gentle Percy, Enter Henry Percy, Percy Willoughby

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

Northumberland's raw, eager son, who pledges his untested sword to Bolingbroke and swears a service he means to ripen into desert.

## Who they are

Percy arrives at Ravenspurgh as a young man with no memory of ever having looked on Bolingbroke, offering service he calls tender, raw, and young. That very inexperience is his currency: he can bind himself to the rising duke without the taint of older betrayals, and Bolingbroke seals the covenant with thanks and a handclasp. His eagerness to prove himself makes him a useful instrument in the rebellion's early momentum, and a figure whose fire will matter as the play turns from deposition to its aftermath.

## Relationships

### [King Richard II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/king_richard_ii)

_rivalry_

Henry Percy (Hotspur) is a supporter of Bolingbroke and an enemy to King Richard.

### [Henry Bolingbroke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/henry_bolingbroke)

_friendship_

Bolingbroke and Henry Percy are allies, with Percy serving as a key military supporter.

### [King Richard II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/king_richard_ii)

_rivalry_

Henry Percy (Hotspur) is a supporter of Bolingbroke and an enemy to King Richard.

## In the story

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

Young Harry Percy meets Bolingbroke for the first time and offers his service.

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

Reports that the castle is royally manned and that King Richard is inside.

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

Reports to Bolingbroke about Prince Hal's whereabouts and behavior.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_ii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-vi)

Presents the Bishop of Carlisle and reports the death of the Abbot of Westminster.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_ii_se/characters/henry_percy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_ii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_ii_se/characters