Editing Henry IV of England (section)

== Early life ==
Henry was born at [[Bolingbroke Castle]], in [[Lincolnshire]], to [[John of Gaunt]] and [[Blanche of Lancaster]].{{sfn|Given-Wilson|2016|p=10}} His epithet "Bolingbroke" was derived from his birthplace. Gaunt was the third son of [[King Edward III]]. Blanche was the daughter of the wealthy royal politician and nobleman [[Henry, Duke of Lancaster]]. Gaunt enjoyed a position of considerable influence during much of the reign of his own nephew, King [[Richard II]]. Henry's elder sisters were [[Philippa, Queen of Portugal]], and [[Elizabeth, Duchess of Exeter]]. His younger half-sister [[Katherine, Queen of Castile]], was Gaunt's daughter with his second wife, [[Constance of Castile, Duchess of Lancaster|Constance of Castile]]. Henry also had four half-siblings born to [[Katherine Swynford]], originally his sisters' governess, then his father's longstanding mistress and later third wife. These illegitimate (but later legitimized) children were given the surname [[House of Beaufort|Beaufort]] from their birthplace at the [[Château de Beaufort]] in [[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]], France.{{Sfn|Armitage-Smith|1905|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=aUutJGyx5EEC&pg=PA318  318]}}

Henry's relationship with his stepmother Katherine Swynford was amicable, but his relationship with the Beauforts varied. In his youth, he seems to have been close to all of them, but rivalries with [[Henry Beaufort|Henry]] and [[Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter|Thomas Beaufort]] caused trouble after 1406. [[Ralph Neville, 4th Baron Neville]], married Henry's half-sister [[Joan Beaufort, Countess of Westmorland|Joan Beaufort]]. Neville remained one of his strongest supporters, and so did his eldest half-brother [[John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset|John Beaufort]], even though Henry revoked Richard II's grant to John of a [[marquess]]ate. Katherine Swynford's son from her first marriage, Thomas, was another loyal companion. [[Thomas Swynford]] was Constable of [[Pontefract Castle]], where Richard II is said to have died.