The King is troubled by the pressures of ruling a kingdom; `uneasy lies the head that wears a crown'. Many speculate that this is because he doesn't have divine right kingship, at the time Kings believed that their power was installed in them by God. Henry being a usurper does not having this belief because of the manner in which he took the crown.

This uncertainty and doubt in which the King speaks would relate to characteristics of a weak leader. `One might read the book of fate' indicating to us that if he knew what may happen then he would do things differently. For instance that once again Northumberland won't turn up to battle and instead flee for protection in Scotland. The moment King Henry refers to the book he acknowledges that there is a greater power than himself. The kingdom that he rules using a `body...