King Henry V was the second Medieval English king who belonged to the House of Lancaster.
Henry V was the eldest of the children of Henry IV and was born on 9th August 1387 at Monmouth Castle, Monmouth the Principality of Wales.
King Henry V
During the last years of his father, Henry was in severe political conflict with him. After his father’s death in 1413, King Henry V waged war against the French.
His victory at the Battle of Agincourt is famous alongside the Treaty of Troyes that recognized him as regent and heir apparent to the French throne. He married Charles VI of France’s daughter.
Henry V won the Battle of Agincourt with an outnumbered army
King Henry V ruled England from 20th March 1413 to 31 August 1422. His coronation took place on 8th April 1413 at Westminster Abbey.
King Henry V took the control of the country after his father’s death in 1413.
Westminster Abbey
His father, Henry IV, died of poor health. Medieval King Henry V remained king until his death. His greatest achievement was his famous victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
He also did a peace treaty with the Charles VI of France in 1420. He married Catherine of Valois in 1420. He died on 31 August 1422.
Longbowmen were some of the best foot soldiers in the Battle of Agincourt
King Henry V was called the star of England by William Shakespeare in his play due to his success and achievements in his short reign. One of his greatest achievements was his victory in the Battle of Agincourt which was fought against the French in the year 1415.
William Shakespeare
It was the major English victory in the hundred years’ war. He also implemented the Treaty of Troyes after months of negotiations with the Charles VI of France which recognized Henry V as regent and heir apparent to the throne of France.
He then married the Catherine of Valois, the daughter of Charles VI.
Battle of Agincourt
King Henry V’s wife was Catherine of Valois to whom he married in the year 1420. They married after a peace treaty was made between England and France.
It was made in May 1420 and according to it Medieval King Henry V of England was acknowledged as Charles’ heir.
The marriage took place at the Parish Church of St John on 2nd June 1420. After marriage, Catherine went to England with her husband, King Henry V.
She was crowned queen on 23 February 1421 at Westminster Abbey. She gave birth to their only son Henry VI, who later ruled England for many years.
Coat of Arms of the Medieval King Henry V
Catherine of Valois and King Henry V had only one son, Henry VI, who later went on to become King Henry VI of England. His son was a few months old when King Henry V died. He succeeded as the King of England one day after his father’s death.
Medieval King of England King Henry VI
At the time of his successor, King Henry VI was only nine months old. King Henry V’s son, King Henry VI was the youngest person ever to have succeeded to the English throne.
In accordance with the Treaty of Troyes, a few weeks later, King Henry VI also became the Titular King of France after his maternal Grandfather King Charles VI death.
King Henry V was a great Medieval king, soldier, and military genius. He was considered a pious young man, although there are also accounts of his brutality and slaughter following these victories.
He was very ambitious and embarked on a war with France right after his accession to the throne. He couldn’t bear disloyalty and gave strict punishments to disloyal people.
He was not only one of the greatest warriors in history but also a successful statesman. He helped the Catholic Church in ending its great papal division.
King Henry V’s greatest achievements came during his different campaigns in France. In August 1415 he went to France with his forces and besieged the fortress at Harfleur, and ultimately captured it on 22nd September.
Deciding against the suggestions of his council he with his army moved to the French countryside.
A French Army intercepted King Henry’s route on the plains near the village of Agincourt and there the historical Battle of Agincourt was fought.
Although King Henry’s men were less in number and malnourished he led them immaculately and they defeated the French.
It is believed that the muddy field hindered the advance of the French army and they got bogged down, making them an easy target for the famous English longbowmen archers.
This battle along with the battle of Poitiers is considered King Henry’s V greatest achievement.
Battle of Poitiers
In his 1417-1420 campaign in France, Medieval King Henry struck the historic peace treaty, known as the Treaty of Troyes, with the Charles VI of France.
This treaty was made after months of negotiations between the two parties. It is also one of the greatest achievements of King Henry V as this treaty recognized Henry V as the regent and heir apparent to the French throne.
In 1421 king Henry V had to sail to France as his brother Thomas was killed and his forces defeated in the Battle of Bauge which was fought against the army of Scottish allies of the Dauphin of France. This campaign proved to be the last campaign of King Henry V.
Battle of Bauge
After a long siege of Dreux and later Mreaux, King Henry’s forces captured both. Soon after these successes, King Henry suddenly died on 31st August 1422 at Vincennes in the Kingdom of France.
It is believed that he died of dysentery. At the time of his death, he was 35 years old. Henry V was buried in Westminster Abbey in England on 7th November 1422.
Before his death, he nominated his brother, John, as regent of France in the name of his son Henry VI.
King Henry V was one of the greatest warriors in English history. His successes in France strengthened the English monarchy.
His success in the battle of Agincourt and his peace treaty with the French King made him “the Star of England”. During his French campaign in 1421, he died suddenly due to dysentery.