Histories

• Henry IV, Part I (1597-1598)
  One of Shakespeare's most popular plays, featuring the opportunistic miscreant, Sir John Falstaff.
  Earliest known text: Quarto (1598).

• Henry IV, Part II (1597-1598)
  This is the third play in the second tetralogy of history plays, along with Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, and Henry V.
  Earliest known text: Quarto (1600).

• Henry V (1598-1599)
  Henry V is the last in the second tetralogy sequence. King Henry is considered Shakespeare's ideal monarch.
  Earliest known text: Quarto (1600).

• Henry VI, Part I (1591-1592)
  The first in Shakespeare's trilogy about the War of the Roses between the houses of Lancaster and York.
  Earliest known text: First Folio (1623).

• Henry VI, Part II (1590-1591)
  Part two of Shakespeare's chronicle play. Based on Hall's work, the play contains some historical inaccuracies.
  Earliest known text: Quarto (1594).

• Henry VI, Part III (1590-1591)
  Part three begins in medias res, with the duke of Suffolk dead and the duke of York being named Henry VI's heir.
  Earliest known text: Quarto (1595).

• Henry VIII (1612-1613)
  Many believe Henry VIII to be Shakespeare's last play, but others firmly believe that he had little, if anything, to do with its creation.
  Earliest known text: First Folio (1623).

• King John (1596-1597)
  In the shadow of Shakespeare’s second tetralogy of history plays lies the neglected masterpiece, King John. Although seldom read or performed today, King John was once one of Shakespeare's most popular histories, praised for its poetic brilliance.
  Earliest known text: First Folio (1623).

• Richard II (1595-1596)
  More so than Shakespeare's earlier history plays, Richard II is notable for its well-rounded characters.
  Earliest known text: Quarto (1597).

• Richard III (1592-1593)
  The devious machinations of the deformed villain, Richard, duke of Gloucester, made this play an Elizabethan favorite.
  Earliest known text: Quarto (1597).