King Henry V the Merciful Warrior King
King Henry V was the son of Henry IV and Mary de Bohun. He began his reign reviving the Hundred Years War with France, taking back lost ancestral lands. A chivalric, warrior king, Henry V was an excellent military leader, famously defeating the vast French army at the Battle of Agincourt. Deeply religious and merciful to his enemies, King Henry V is one of England’s greatest kings, despite his short reign, and the last true medieval warrior king. King Henry V died a month before being crowned king of France, and tragically would never meet his only child, Henry VI, the future king of England and France.
| Born | 16 September 1386, Monmouth Castle, Wales |
| Parents | Henry IV and Mary de Bohun |
| Married | Catherine of Valois |
| Children | 1, Henry VI |
| Died | 31 August 1422, Vincennes, France, buried at Westminster Abbey (35) |
| Reign | 1413 - 1422 (9) |
| Crowned | 9 April 1413, Westminster Abbey (26) |
| Predecessor | Henry IV (father) |
| Successor | Henry VI (son) |
| House | Lancaster |
Life Events of King Henry V
1386
On 16 September, Henry V is born to Henry IV and Mary de Bohun, at Monmouth Castle, Wales.
1403
Henry V helps his father defeat the Percy family on 21 July at the Battle of Shrewsbury. Henry V is wounded by an arrow to his face.
1413
On 20 March, Henry IV dies and Henry V accedes his father as king of England. On 9 April, Henry V is crowned king at Westminster Abbey.
1415
King Henry V survives an assassination attempt to replace him with his cousin, Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March. Edmund himself notifies Henry of the Southampton (Cambridge) plot, before he boards a ship to France. Henry has the conspirators killed, and Edmund remains loyal until his death 10 years later.
1415
King Henry V renews the hundred years war with France, to regain lost lands. He captures Harfleur after a long siege. Then, against all odds, he defeats the French army at the Battle of Agincourt on 25 October. English longbows are critical to the success, killing 6,000 French soldiers, while losing less than 400 English. Henry V returns to England as a hero and warrior king.
1416
The great Welsh leader, Owain Glyndwr, dies.
1417
Henry V returns to France, to continue with the French campaigns.
1419
Henry V retakes Rouen in Normandy after their surrender. The Treaty of Troyes is signed, confirming Henry V’s inheritance of the French crown, after King Charles VI of France.
1420
Henry V consolidates his position in France by marrying Catherine of Valois, daughter of King Charles VI of France, in June at Troyes Cathedral.
1421
Queen Catherine gives birth to Henry VI in December, at Windsor Castle. King Henry V is away in France on more military campaigns. The king would never meet his son.
1422
King Henry V dies from dysentery on 31 August, at the Chateau de Vincennes, while laying siege in Meaux. He never accedes to the French throne. King Charles VI of France dies a month later. Henry V’s son, Henry VI becomes King of England and France at just 9 months old. Henry V’s body is returned to England, and buried in Westminster Abbey.
Interesting Facts About King Henry V
Battle of Agincourt
One of the most significant events of Henry V's reign was the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Despite being outnumbered, Henry and his army achieved a remarkable victory over the French forces during the Hundred Years' War. This battle is considered a remarkable military success and one of the most famous in English history.Shakespeare's Play
Henry V is the central character of William Shakespeare's famous play titled ‘Henry V’. The play portrays Henry as a heroic and charismatic leader, focusing on his military campaigns and the events leading up to the Battle of Agincourt.Treaty of Troyes
In 1420, Henry V negotiated the Treaty of Troyes, which recognized him as the heir to the French throne and married him to Catherine of Valois, the daughter of King Charles VI of France. This treaty aimed to unite England and France under Henry's rule but faced opposition and ultimately did not achieve a lasting union.Military Successes in France
In addition to the Battle of Agincourt, Henry V achieved several military successes in France. He captured key territories, including the cities of Harfleur, Rouen, and Paris and was recognized as the regent of France during the reign of his father-in-law, Charles VI.Piety
Henry V was known for his piety and religious devotion. He sought guidance from religious figures, promoted church reforms and saw his military campaigns as a righteous cause. He was deeply committed to his faith and saw himself as God's instrument in securing his rightful rule.Early Death
Henry V's reign was relatively short. He ascended the throne in 1413 and died unexpectedly in 1422 at the age of 35. His death occurred from dysentery, possibly aggravated by the stresses of war and campaign-related conditions.Legacy
Henry V left a lasting legacy as a warrior king. He is remembered as one of England's most successful military leaders, and his reign marked a high point in the Hundred Years' War. He inspired national pride and loyalty, and his military exploits contributed to the mythos of the ‘English hero king’.Tomb
Henry V was buried in Westminster Abbey in London. His tomb, adorned with a magnificent effigy, is one of the notable royal burials in the abbey.
Battles Fought by King Henry V
Battle of Shrewsbury
On 21 July 1403, King Henry V’s father led a royalist army, alongside his son Henry V of Monmouth, against the rebel, Henry ‘Hotspur’ Percy of Northumberland. The royalists won, but Henry V is wounded by an arrow to his face.Siege of Harfleur
On 18 August 1415, Henry V laid siege to the port city of Harfleur, Normandy. The defenders surrender, but despite victory, the English suffer an outbreak of dysentery, and are weakened as a result.Battle of Agincourt
On 25 August 1415, the feast day of St Crispin, King Henry V leads his army towards Calais, weakened by dysentery. They are intercepted by a huge French army at Agincourt, 10 times their number. Henry V has no choice but to engage. English and Welsh longbows reign down on the French knights and soldiers, to devastating effect. Tactically, Henry V forces the French into a narrow pass between woods, preventing them from surrounding the smaller English army. King Henry V is victorious, against all odds, and will forever be known as a hero, warrior king.
FAQs About the King
What is King Henry V most famous for?
King Henry V is most famous for his military successes during the Hundred Years' War, particularly the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. He is also known for his portrayal in William Shakespeare's play titled ‘Henry V’.What was the significance of the Battle of Agincourt?
The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory over the French during the Hundred Years' War. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Henry V and his forces achieved a remarkable triumph, solidifying his reputation as a skilled military leader.How did King Henry V's reign impact the Hundred Years' War?
King Henry V's military successes in France significantly shifted the balance of power in favour of England during the Hundred Years' War. His campaigns and victories brought England closer to achieving its goal of securing control over parts of France.What were Henry V's relations with France?
While Henry V initially fought against the French, he later negotiated the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, which recognized him as the heir to the French throne and married him to Catherine of Valois, the daughter of King Charles VI. This treaty aimed to unite England and France, although its long-term success was limited.What was King Henry V's early life like?
Henry V was born as the eldest son of Henry IV and Mary de Bohun. He spent his early years in relative obscurity, but his life changed dramatically when he ascended the throne after the death of his father in 1413.How did King Henry V die?
King Henry V died at the age of 35 from dysentery, which he contracted during a military campaign in France. His untimely death occurred just a few months before the death of his father-in-law, King Charles VI of France.What was Henry V's legacy?
Henry V left a lasting legacy as a warrior king and one of England's most successful military leaders. His victories in France, particularly the Battle of Agincourt, inspired national pride and strengthened England's position in the Hundred Years' War.Did Henry V have any children?
Yes, Henry V had one son, Henry VI, who would later become king of England as an infant. Through his son, Henry V's lineage continued the Lancastrian dynasty.
King Henry V Marriage to Catherine
Morning of the Battle of Agincourt. Source
The Battle of Agincourt
