Worcester is the other one of King Henry’s earls that switches allegiance as he follows the footsteps of his brother, Northumberland. This also makes Worcester Hotspur’s uncle, but he won’t be winning any ‘Best Uncle’ awards any time soon. He does make an effort to channel Hotspur’s rage, but his personal manipulations are just as ineffective as his political ones. The most important scene in this regard is Worcester’s decision to, in conjunction with Vernon, withhold important information from Hotspur regarding the strength of the king’s forces because they fear it is too late for them to try and concede or earn Henry’s trust back. At the end of the play, King Henry orders Worcster’s execution for treason.
