Battle of Shrewsbury

The Battle of Shrewsbury, fought on July 21, 1403, was a significant conflict during the reign of King Henry IV of England. The battle pitted the royal forces of Henry IV against a rebellion led by Sir Henry Percy, known as "Hotspur".1

Hotspur, along with his father, the Earl of Northumberland, had initially supported Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV) in overthrowing King Richard II. However, disagreements over rewards and the handling of Scottish prisoners led the Percys to rebel against Henry IV. Hotspur raised a rebellion in Cheshire, but King Henry intercepted him near Shrewsbury before he could join forces with his father. In the ensuing battle, Hotspur was killed, marking a decisive victory for the king and effectively ending the Percy rebellion. This battle is famously depicted in William Shakespeare's play Henry IV, Part 1.12