The Hollow Crown

King Richard is called upon to settle a dispute between his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray. Richard calls for a duel but then halts it just before swords clash. Both men are banished from the realm. Richard visits John of Gaunt, Bolingbroke's father, who, in the throes of death, reprimands the king. After seizing Gaunt's money and land, Richard leaves for wars against the rebels in Ireland.

Heir to the throne, Prince Hal, defies his father, King Henry, by spending his time at Mistress Quickly's tavern in the company of the dissolute Falstaff and his companions. The King is threatened by a rebellion led by Hal's rival, Hotspur, his father Northumberland and his uncle Worcester. Considering danger to the state, Hal joins his father to defeat the rebels at the Battle of Shrewsbury and to kill Hotspur.

In the aftermath of the Battle of Shrewsbury, Northumberland learns of the death of his son. The Lord Chief Justice attempts on behalf of the increasingly frail King to separate Falstaff from Prince Hal. The rebels continue to plot insurrection, while Falstaff is sent to recruit soldiers and takes his leave of his mistress, Doll Tearsheet.

Henry V has settled onto the throne and has the makings of a fine king when the French ambassador brings a challenge from the Dauphin. Inspired by his courtiers Exeter and York, Henry swears that he will, with all force, answer this challenge. The chorus tells of England's preparations for war and Henry's army sails for France.

King Richard is called upon to settle a dispute between his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray. Richard calls for a duel but then halts it just before swords clash. Both men are banished from the realm.

After the Battle of St Alban's Plantagenet and the Yorkists ride to London to claim the throne. Henry negotiates to keep the Crown for his lifetime but agrees to disinherit his son, Prince Edward. Margaret is outraged and attacks Plantagenet at his house, slaughtering the Duke and his youngest son Edmund. Elder brothers, Edward, George & Richard, escape and swear to avenge the murders, and destruction of their house. The Yorkists are victorious at the Battle of Towton and Plantagenet's eldest son is crowned Edward IV. Henry VI is imprisoned in the Tower and Margaret escapes to France with her son Prince Edward. Warwick travels to the French Court to find Edward a bride. Word arrives that Edward is already betrothed to Elizabeth Woodville. Enraged, Warwick switches sides and joins the House of Lancaster. Together with Margaret and the French King, Warwick forms an alliance to place Henry back on the throne. George, Edward IV's brother, joins with Warwick after failing to secure a good marriage or advance at Court. George returns to the Yorkist cause moments before the Battle of Tewkesbury. The Lancastrians are defeated and Warwick is killed. In the aftermath of battle Richard slays Prince Edward in front of a distraught Margaret. Richard returns to London and murders the former king Henry in his cell. The Court of Edward IV congregates for the christening of a new heir to the throne. The Yorkist dynasty seems secure.