"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown!"Rebellion still simmers in England and King Henry's health is failing. Prince Hal has proved his courage but the king still fears that his son's pleasure-loving nature will bring the realm to ruin. Meanwhile Falstaff and his ribald companions waste the nights in revelry, anticipating the moment when Hal will ascend the throne. Falstaff is in Gloucestershire as a guest of the garrulous Justice Shallow when news arrives that the king has died. Has the dissolute old knight's hour come at last?.