st acquaintance, kindred, and allies...As far as the sepulchre of Christ,--whose soldier now, under whose blessed cross we are impressed and engaged to fight, forthwith a power of English shall we levy, whose arms were molded in their mother's womb to chase these pagans in those holy fields over whose acres walked those blessed feet which fourteen hundred years ago were nailed for our advantage on the bitter cross. (I.i.9-26)
             At first glance, this speech seems to be the righteous words of an ambitious and determined king with an honorable purpose (honorable during the time period anyways). However, given the circumstances preceding the play, the events in Richard II, this speech can be seen in a completely different light. In speaking of the "intestine shock and furious close of civil butchery," the king conveniently neglects to mention that he is the one who instigated that civil war when he fought to usurp the throne then held by Richard II. His plan for a crusade is actually due to his want for the expiation of guilt for the murder of Richard II. He compromised his honor when he illegitimately took control of the kingdom by murdering the legitimate king who was also his cousin. He is certainly aware of his fallen honor and this is why he is seen as a subdued and troubled character in Henry IV, Part One.
             King Henry's sense of lacking honor is not solely due to the illegitimacy of his rule but also because of the actions of the heir to the throne, his son. The king is evidently worried about Prince Hal's "dishonorable" ways, to the extent that he even wishes that Hotspur had been his son instead of Hal:
             Yea, there thou mak'st me sad and mak'st me sin in envy that my Lord Northumberland should be the father to so blest a son, a son who is the theme of honor's tongue, amongst a grove the very straightest plant, who is sweet Fortune's minion and her pride; whilst I, by looking on the praise of him, see riot and dishonor stain the...