Intended as the first of a series of volumes, the remainder of which were not in fact published (Volume 2 was quickly suppressed given the number of errors found in the text), this collection of letters to and from Henry IV (1367-1413) was originally published in 1860 by Francis Charles Hingeston (1833-1910). The correspondence here dates from the first five years of the king's reign, from 1399 to 1404, and is presented in the original Latin, English or French, with English translation for the latter. Despite inaccuracies in Hingeston's text, the letters serve as a valuable record of an eventful period in English history, shedding light on topics ranging from international relations to monastic affairs as well as the more personal concerns of a king whose reign was blighted by rebellions, plots and assassination attempts. A chronological catalogue helpfully lists the various rulers, church leaders, aristocrats, ambassadors and officials with whom Henry was in contact.
