Who said “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”?

Verified

William Shakespeare. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceHenry IV, Part 2 (1597-8), King Henry, Act III, scene i.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Authors A–Z

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Henry IV, Part 2 (1597-8), King Henry, Act III, scene i..

APA

Shakespeare, W. (n.d.). Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/36398-uneasy-lies-the-head-that-wears-a-crown/

MLA

Shakespeare, William. “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/36398-uneasy-lies-the-head-that-wears-a-crown/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Shakespeare, William. “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/36398-uneasy-lies-the-head-that-wears-a-crown/.

Related quotes

“The best reason why Monarchy is a strong government is, that it is an intelligible government. The mass of mankind understand it, and they hardly anywhere in the world understand any other.”
— Walter Bagehot
VerifiedThe English Constitution (1894) · evidenceDetails & citeRoyalty
Report
“I am your anointed Queen. I will never be by violence constrained to do anything. I thank God I am endued with such qualities that if I were turned out of the Realm in my petticoat I were able to live in any place in Christendom.”
— Elizabeth I
VerifiedResponse to Parliament (October 1566) · evidenceDetails & citeRoyalty
Report

More quotes by Shakespeare

All 402 William Shakespeare quotes →