Henriad

Meanings

1. A group of four of Shakespeare’s plays: Richard II; Henry IV, Part 1; Henry IV, Part 2; and Henry V, with the implication that these four plays are Shakespeare’s epic poem.
2. Either of two groups of four each of Shakespeare’s plays: The "first Henriad" (Henry VI, part 1, Henry VI, part 2, Henry VI, part 3, and Richard III), and the "second Henriad" (Richard II; Henry IV, Part 1; Henry IV, Part 2; and Henry V).https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182046/https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/richard-ii-shakespeare-questions-divine-right-of-kings/
3. The title translated into English of an epic poem, Le Henriade, by Voltaire.

Etymology

Popularized in the Shakespearean sense by Alvin Kernan in 1969 in his book The Henriad: Shakespeare’s Major History Plays, from Henry + -iad.