# Henry IV, Part II — Character guide

> Key figures in Henry IV, Part II by William Shakespeare.

- [Sir John Falstaff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/falstaff.md): A fat, witty, and dissolute knight who leads Prince Hal astray with his debauchery.
- [Prince Harry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/prince_hal.md): The heir to the throne, torn between his royal duties and his friendship with Falstaff.
- [King Henry IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/king_henry_iv.md): The weary king, troubled by rebellion and his son's behavior.
- [Lord Chief Justice](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/lord_chief_justice.md): A stern but fair judge who reprimands Falstaff and later advises the new king.
- [Prince John of Lancaster](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/prince_john.md): King Henry's second son, a cold and calculating military commander.
- [Earl of Northumberland](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/northumberland.md): A powerful rebel lord, father of Hotspur, who hesitates to join the rebellion.
- [Archbishop of York](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/archbishop_of_york.md): A rebel leader who conspires against the king and is betrayed.
- [Lord Mowbray](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/mowbray.md): A rebel lord allied with the Archbishop of York.
- [Lord Hastings](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/hastings.md): A rebel lord who negotiates with Prince John.
- [Bardolph](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/bardolph.md): Falstaff's red-faced, cowardly companion and corporal.
- [Ancient Pistol](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/pistol.md): A swaggering, cowardly soldier and companion of Falstaff.
- [Doll Tearsheet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/doll_tearsheet.md): A prostitute who is fond of Falstaff and brawls with Pistol.
- [Mistress Quickly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/hostess_quickly.md): The hostess of the Boar's Head Tavern, often cheated by Falstaff.
- [Justice Shallow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/justice_shallow.md): A foolish, garrulous country justice and old acquaintance of Falstaff.
- [Justice Silence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/silence.md): A quiet country justice and cousin of Shallow, who becomes drunk and sings.
- [Davy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/davy.md): Shallow's servant, who manages his household affairs.
- [Poins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/poins.md): Prince Hal's witty companion and partner in pranks against Falstaff.
- [Earl of Warwick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/warwick.md): A loyal nobleman and advisor to King Henry IV.
- [Earl of Westmoreland](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/westmoreland.md): A loyal nobleman and military commander for the king.
- [Duke of Gloucester](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/gloucester.md): King Henry's young son, later Duke of Gloucester.
- [Thomas of Clarence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/clarence.md): King Henry's third son, who reports on the rebellion.
- [Gower](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/gower.md): A messenger and officer in the king's service.
- [Ralph Mouldy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/mouldy.md): A reluctant recruit pressed into service by Falstaff.
- [Simon Shadow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/shadow.md): A thin recruit chosen by Falstaff for his appearance.
- [Thomas Wart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/wart.md): A ragged recruit pressed into service by Falstaff.
- [Peter Bullcalf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/bullcalf.md): A recruit who bribes his way out of military service.
- [Francis Feeble](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/feeble.md): A woman's tailor who is conscripted but shows courage.
- [Fang](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/fang.md): A sheriff's officer who attempts to arrest Falstaff.
- [Snare](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/snare.md): A sheriff's officer who assists Fang in arresting Falstaff.
- [Falstaff's Page](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/page.md): A small page boy given to Falstaff, who mocks his size.
- [Rumour](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/rumour.md): The allegorical figure who speaks the Induction, spreading false news.
- [Travers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/travers.md): A servant of Lord Bardolph who brings news from the rebellion.
- [Morton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/morton.md): A messenger who brings news of Hotspur's death to Northumberland.
- [Lady Percy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/lady_percy.md): Hotspur's widow, who mourns her husband and confronts Northumberland.
- [Lady Northumberland](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/lady_northumberland.md): Northumberland's wife, who tries to dissuade him from rebellion.
- [Harry Hotspur](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/hotspur.md): The deceased rebel leader, frequently mentioned but does not appear on stage.
- [Earl of Douglas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/douglas.md): A Scottish rebel lord who fought at Shrewsbury and is mentioned in passing.
- [John of Gaunt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/john_of_gaunt.md): The late Duke of Lancaster, father of King Henry IV, mentioned in passing.
- [King Richard II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/richard_ii.md): The deposed king, whose murder haunts Henry IV's conscience.
- [Beadle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/beadle.md): A parish officer who punishes Doll Tearsheet and the Hostess.
- [Porter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/porter.md): A servant who opens the door at the palace.
- [Sneak](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/sneak.md): A musician who performs for Shallow and Silence.
- [Jane Nightwork](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/jane_nightwork.md): An old woman once courted by Shallow, mentioned in conversation.
- [William Visor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/william_visor.md): A man mentioned by Shallow as a troublemaker.
- [Mistress Ursula](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/ursula.md): An old woman Falstaff once swore to marry, mentioned in passing.
- [Nell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/nell.md): A name used by Pistol for Mistress Quickly.
- [Peto](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/peto.md): A companion of Prince Hal and Falstaff, appears briefly.
- [Sir John Blunt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/blunt.md): A loyal knight and messenger for the king.
- [Harry Monmouth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/harry_monmouth.md): An epithet for Prince Hal, referring to his birthplace.
- [Bolingbroke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/bolingbroke.md): King Henry IV's name before his coronation, used in historical references.
- [Althaea](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/althaea.md): A figure from Greek myth referenced by the king in a speech.
- [Priam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/priam.md): The Trojan king, referenced in a classical allusion.
- [William Shakespeare](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters/william_shakespeare.md): The author, mentioned in the text as a name on the title page.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_iv_part_ii_se/characters