Lord Chief Justice

Play

Henry IV, Part 2

Summary

The Lord Chief Justice is the embodiment of impartial law and civil order in 2 Henry IV. He had once committed Prince Hal to prison for striking him in the course of his duty — an act of courage that Hal himself later honours. Throughout the play he rebukes Falstaff with measured severity and is unintimidated by the knight's wit or bluster. When Hal becomes Henry V, the Chief Justice fears dismissal, but in one of the play's most important scenes the new king confirms him in his office, declaring that he will henceforth be ruled by the law — signalling his complete transformation from wayward prince to just sovereign.

Notable Quotations

"You are too impatient to bear crosses. Fare you well." *(2H4, 1.2 — to Falstaff)*

"I then did use the person of your father; / The image of his power lay then in me." *(2H4, 5.2 — explaining to Hal why he imprisoned him)*

"You shall be as a father to my youth, / My voice shall sound as you do prompt mine ear." *(2H4, 5.2 — Henry V confirming him in office)*

Cross-references

• Henry IV, Part 2 — the play
• Histories — the genre
• character_prince_hal — Prince Hal / Henry V, whom he imprisoned and later serves
• character_falstaff — Falstaff, whom he rebukes