Westmorland, Gloucester and Exeter arrive and discuss the fact that Henry is aware that Scrope, Grey and Cambridge have become traitors. They remark that the traitors are able to pretend to be so loyal to Henry in spite of the fact that they accepted French money to kill him. They’re very surprised to believe that these men would sell their king’s life for such a small amount of money.

Henry arrives accompanied by Scrope, Cambridge and Grey. He first questions them on if they think he will be victorious against the French forces. They all tell him there is no doubt that he will win. Henry then decides to play a game with them. He orders Exeter to free a man accused of treason from the prison. Scrope objects, saying that it will set a bad example for the rest of the people. The other two traitors also object and tell him to put the man to death.

Henry orders the man to be set free. He then changes topics and asks who the commissioners are (the commissioners are the men who will rule England in his absence). All three of the traitors inform him that he bade them come in order to receive a commission. Henry hands them letters of commission and tells Exeter and Westmorland to that the army plan to leave that night for France. He then turns back to the traitors and remarks that they appear quite pale.

The traitors have read the documents, which clearly implicate them in a plot to kill Henry. They plead for mercy, but he refuses to grant them any since they themselves would not pardon the accused man whom he wanted to free. He sends them away to be executed, and tells the assembled lords to prepare for war with France.