HENRY V THE MAKING OF THE WARRIOR KING
Henry V is one of England’s most famous monarchs. Often presented as the epitome of medieval kingship, he’s best known for winning the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. One of the greatest ‘against the odds’ victories in military history, Henry led a bedraggled English force of 6,000 8,000 men against a French army many times their size – and won. The king’s success was attributed to his generalship as well as the skill of his soldiers, the majority of whom were longbowmen.
Agincourt became one of the most notable battles of the Hundred Years’ War and Henry was lionized, not just in his own lifetime but most notably by William Shakespeare. His 1599 play Henry V cast the king as “this star of England”, a heroic leader with the common touch who collectively identified himself with his men as “we band of brothers”.
This interpretation of Henry V has dominated popular conceptions of the king but should be regarded as a rousing, largely fictional characterisation. However, the truth about Henry’s military career is no less fascinating. Agincourt was a remarkable victory but if Henry’s previous fighting experiences are examined, it becomes apparent that his success in 1415 was not entirely by accident. The king was only in his late twenties when he won his defining battle but he had already spent much of his life serving a unique military apprenticeship. It is the story of a teenage prince who campaigned across the British Isles, fought battles and defended a fledgling dynasty to protect his future crown.
MONMOUTH, IRELAND AND USURPATION
When Henry was born, there was little indication of the trajectory that his life would take. He was a great-grandson of Edward III through his father Henry, Earl of Derby (who was popularly known as Bolingbroke after his Lincolnshire birthplace) while his mother was Mary de Bohun, the daughter of the seventh earl of Hereford. Bolingbroke was a first cousin to the ruling King Richard II but he was not his heir.
