Henry V (c.1387 - 1422)


As victor of the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, Henry V made England one of the strongest kingdoms in Europe.

Henry succeeded his father as king in March 1413. Although he had to deal with conspiracies to put Edmund Mortimer, the Earl of March, on the throne, these were rarely a serious threat and did not distract him from his main objective: France. As well as demanding lands the French had surrendered in 1360, he claimed Normandy, Touraine and Maine, as well as areas never before held by England.

Hard and domineering, Henry could be ruthless and cruel. Yet he was admired - even by some French writers - as brave and honourable, with a commanding personality. At home, he governed well: law and order were dealt with by reviving the use of the King's Bench as a travelling court and both central and local administration operated smoothly.

Yet he was best when planning and executing his wars against France. Diplomacy ensured English command of the channel and, at home, he began both large-scale borrowing and parliamentary taxation to finance his ambitions. His success in raising the money reflected the enthusiasm he raised for the war. His main objective was to take the towns and fortresses of northern France and make them permanent English garrisons, exploiting the surrounding countryside to make the war pay its own way.

Henry invaded France in 1415 with a small army, winning a decisive victory at Agincourt while en route to Calais. Between 1417 and 1419 Henry followed up this success with the conquest of Normandy. Rouen surrendered in January 1419 and his successes forced the French to agree to the Treaty of Troyes in May 1420. Henry was recognised as heir to the French throne and regent of France. The following month he married Catherine, the daughter of Charles VI of France.

However, Charles VI's son continued the war. In 1422 Henry contracted dysentery and died at the siege of Meaux in August, leaving only his baby son as heir.