Prince Hal of Wales was never meant to inherite the throne. His relationship with his father, King Henry, was rocky to say the least and therefore meant that the crown would go to Hal's younger brother Thomas when the king died. Unfortunately, Thomas died in war before he could receive the crown, and Hal was forced to take up the crown upon his father's death due to smallpox. Prince Hal is crowned king, King Henry V, and vows to be a different king than his father, who was waging war.