While King Henry's England is threatened by rebellion, the king's scapegrace son Hal haunts the taverns of London, his companions a crew of rogues and thieves led by the dissolute knight, Sir John Falstaff.The Earl of Northumberland and his fiery son Hotspur scheme to overthrow the crown. Can Hal be brought to a sense of his duty as Prince of Wales? Or will the influence of Fallstaff prove too strong? The issue id decided when Hal, Hotspur, and Falstaff come together at the climatic battle of Shrewbury.