Henry V

1. Born into Instability, Forged in Conflict

My God! A wonderful land is this, and fickle, which hath exiled, slain, destroyed or ruined so many kings, rulers and great men, and is ever tainted and toileth with strife and variance and envy…

A precarious start. Henry V was born in 1386 into an England defined by political turmoil and the shadow of the Black Death. His father, Henry Bolingbroke, was a leading nobleman in a realm ruled by the capricious King Richard II, who had a volatile relationship with his powerful uncles, including Henry's grandfather, John of Gaunt. This unstable environment, marked by factionalism and the threat of civil war, shaped Henry's early life.

Early losses. Henry's childhood was marked by the death of his pious and cultured mother, Mary de Bohun, when he was just eight years old. He was raised primarily within the vast Lancastrian household, receiving a noble education that combined physical training in riding and combat with intellectual pursuits, developing a lifelong love for music, literature, and languages like Latin, French, and English.

The revolution of 1399. The political instability culminated in 1399 when Henry's father, exiled by Richard II, returned to England, deposed the king, and seized the throne as Henry IV. This act of usurpation, while elevating young Henry to Prince of Wales and heir apparent at age thirteen, plunged the kingdom into further uncertainty and rebellion, a world Henry would immediately be thrust into.

2. A Prince's Grueling Apprenticeship in War and Politics

For his great pain and diligence so far, his father very specially render[s] you good thanks.

Thrown into the fray. Elevated to Prince of Wales at thirteen, Henry was immediately tasked with defending his father's newly won crown. He was knighted twice and quickly sent to the front lines of the Welsh rebellion led by Owain Glyndŵr, where he learned the brutal realities of counterinsurgency warfare, commanding troops, burning villages, and dispensing rough justice.

Survival at Shrewsbury. At sixteen, Henry fought alongside his father at the pivotal Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403 against the rebellious Percy family. He was severely wounded by an arrow to the face but famously refused to leave the field, demonstrating remarkable courage and resilience. His miraculous survival, attributed to the skill of surgeon John Bradmore, deeply impacted his religious outlook.

Learning governance. As his father's health declined, Henry took on increasing responsibilities, including leading the royal council. This period, though marked by political friction with his father and brother Thomas, provided invaluable experience in administration, finance, and diplomacy, teaching him the complexities of ruling a kingdom under strain.

3. Navigating Treachery and Asserting Authority

Their aim is to strike at his innocence, and their desire is with a serpentine cunning to upset the ordered succession to [the] throne.

Plots and challenges. Henry IV's reign was plagued by plots and rebellions challenging his legitimacy, from the Epiphany Rising of 1400 to the Percy revolt of 1403 and the ongoing Welsh war. Henry, as prince, was often at the heart of these conflicts, learning firsthand the dangers of disloyalty and the constant threat to the Lancastrian dynasty.

The Lollard threat. The Lollard movement, inspired by John Wyclif, posed a significant challenge to both religious orthodoxy and political stability. Henry, despite a friendship with the prominent Lollard sympathizer John Oldcastle, firmly sided with the Church and state against heresy, culminating in the burning of John Badby and Oldcastle's eventual execution, demonstrating his commitment to order and traditional faith.

Political maneuvering. Henry's growing influence led to tensions with his father and key figures like Archbishop Arundel. His attempt to take greater control of the council in 1410, though initially successful, resulted in his temporary removal from power in 1411. This period taught him the delicate balance of power and the consequences of overreaching, even for the heir apparent.

4. Accession and the Calculated Transformation

As soon as he was invested with the emblems of royalty, he suddenly became a different man.

A new king. Upon his father's death in 1413, Henry V ascended the throne at the age of twenty-six. His coronation, marked by severe weather, was accompanied by a striking shift in his public persona. He adopted an air of intense seriousness, piety, and self-restraint, shedding any hint of youthful indulgence.

Reconciliation and justice. Henry immediately sought to unify the realm, granting a general pardon and bringing former adversaries, including the Mortimer brothers and sons of rebels, into his fold. He also honored the memory of the deposed Richard II, arranging for his reburial in Westminster Abbey, signaling a desire to heal the divisions of the past.

Setting the agenda. Henry's first parliament was marked by a focus on good governance, law and order, and securing the realm. He appointed trusted allies, like Bishop Henry Beaufort and the Earl of Warwick, to key positions, laying the groundwork for his ambitious foreign policy and demonstrating his meticulous approach to kingship.

5. The Audacious Gamble and Miraculous Victory at Agincourt

For these I have here with me are God’s people, whom he deigns to let me have at this time.

Claiming the French crown. Building on his early military experience and fueled by a belief in his righteous cause, Henry V decided to press the English claim to the French throne. Despite facing a kingdom fractured by civil war, his demands for vast territories and the hand of Princess Catherine were initially rebuffed, leading him to prepare for invasion.

The first invasion. In 1415, Henry launched his first major campaign in France, besieging and capturing the strategic port of Harfleur. However, the siege was costly in terms of men and supplies, and disease ravaged his army, forcing him to make a risky decision: retreat to Calais or march through enemy territory with a depleted force.

Agincourt. Choosing the latter, Henry's small, exhausted army was intercepted by a much larger French force near Agincourt. Against overwhelming odds, Henry's tactical brilliance, the effectiveness of his archers, and the muddy terrain combined with French disorganization and poor leadership to produce a stunning English victory, cementing Henry's reputation as a warrior king favored by God.

6. Conquest of Normandy and the Price of Ambition

Feared by everybody, which they [see] launched into their midst time after time.

Return and renewed ambition. Following the triumph of Agincourt, Henry returned to England a hero, securing unprecedented financial support from Parliament. Bolstered by this, and the continuing chaos in France, he launched a second, larger invasion in 1417 with the explicit aim of conquering Normandy.

Systematic conquest. Henry's second campaign was a masterclass in systematic siege warfare and administration. Using powerful artillery and strict discipline, he captured town after town, culminating in the grueling siege of Rouen, the Norman capital. His methods, though effective, were often brutal, employing starvation tactics that inflicted immense suffering on civilian populations.

Exploiting French division. Henry skillfully exploited the deep rift between the Burgundian and Armagnac factions in France. While besieging Norman cities, he engaged in complex diplomatic maneuvers, playing the factions against each other and positioning himself as the only figure capable of restoring order to the war-torn kingdom.

7. Seizing the French Crown Through Treaty and Marriage

Things are different now.

A pivotal murder. The assassination of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, in 1419 by the Dauphin's men dramatically altered the political landscape. Henry, seizing the opportunity, abandoned earlier peace proposals and demanded nothing less than the regency of France and the right to succeed the mad King Charles VI.

The Treaty of Troyes. Through intense negotiations with Queen Isabeau and the new Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good, Henry secured the Treaty of Troyes in 1420. This landmark agreement disinherited the Dauphin, declared Henry regent and heir to France, and was sealed by his marriage to Princess Catherine de Valois.

Dual Monarchy. The treaty established a dual monarchy, uniting the crowns of England and France under Henry and his descendants, while maintaining separate administrations. Henry returned to England briefly in 1421 with his new queen, presenting his achievement to his subjects and securing further support for the ongoing war against the disinherited Dauphin.

8. The Relentless Grind and a King's Final Campaign

This unlusty soldier’s life.

Return to war. Despite the grand pronouncements of the Treaty of Troyes, the Dauphin still controlled half of France, necessitating continued military campaigning. Henry returned to France in 1421, facing a more challenging conflict against a determined enemy and an army weary from years of constant warfare.

Setbacks and hardship. The campaign was marked by hardship, disease, and setbacks, including the disastrous Battle of Baugé in 1421, where Henry's brother Thomas, Duke of Clarence, was killed. Sieges, like the protracted and brutal one at Meaux, were long and costly, testing the limits of English resources and morale.

Illness and death. While directing the siege of Meaux and planning future campaigns, including a potential crusade to Jerusalem, Henry fell gravely ill with dysentery. Despite his unwavering will, his health rapidly deteriorated. He died at Bois de Vincennes in August 1422, just weeks before his thirty-sixth birthday, leaving behind an infant son and an unfinished war.

9. A Legacy of Virtue, Conquest, and Contradiction

Virtue conquers all.

A king's passing. Henry V's death was met with widespread grief and a grand funeral procession that brought his body back to Westminster Abbey. His tomb, later adorned with an effigy and the inscription "Virtue conquers all," became a symbol of his self-cultivated image as a righteous and victorious king.

The unfinished work. Henry left behind a complex and precarious legacy. His infant son, Henry VI, inherited the claim to both the English and French thrones, but the dual monarchy proved unsustainable. The war in France continued under the regency of his capable brother, John, Duke of Bedford, but the tide eventually turned, and England lost all its French territories save Calais by 1453.

Historical judgment. Henry's character and achievements have been debated for centuries. Contemporaries largely lauded him as a pious, just, and brilliant warrior king, favored by God. Later historians have offered more critical views, questioning the cost and sustainability of his conquests. Regardless of judgment, Henry V remains one of England's most compelling and consequential monarchs, a figure whose life was defined by ambition, faith, and relentless action.

Last updated: May 11, 2025