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'''Henry V''' (1387-1422), King of [[England]] (1413-1422), eldest son of [[Henry IV]] became embroiled in his country’s politics from an early age. Becoming [[Prince of Wales]] in 1400; within three years, at seventeen, he was fighting [[Owen Glendower]] and the powerful [[Percy]] family in his father’s name and was wounded at [[Shrewsbury]] in the battle that crushed the rebellion.

'''Henry V''' (1387-1422), King of [[England]] (1413-1422), eldest son of King [[Henry IV]], was a member of the Plantagenet dynasty of monarchs that ruled medieval England, and in particular of the House of [[Lancaster]], which seized the English throne in 1399 after his father, the Duke of Lancaster, seized power from King [[Richard II]]. He is known for his successful military campaigns in France in the latter stages of the [[Hundred Years' War]], especially his crushing victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415; and for his personal character, often described as the personification of medieval virtues.

 

Henry was born at Monmouth Castle in [[Wales]] in 1387 (though some historians have argued it was actually in 1386), and for that reason was sometimes known as "Henry of Monmouth" in his youth, especially before his father became king. Henry became embroiled in his country’s politics from an early age, being held at the court of Richard II for some time as a hostage for his father's good behavior (though he seems to have been treated well by Richard). After his father had overthrown Richard and been proclaimed king, Henry in turn was named Duke of Lancaster and [[Prince of Wales]] in 1400; within three years, at seventeen, he was fighting [[Owen Glendower]] and the powerful [[Percy]] family in his father’s name and was wounded at [[Shrewsbury]] in the battle that crushed the rebellion.

For most of the last few years of his father’s reign he was the effective ruler of England as the king’s health declined. Whilst not always agreeing with his father’s politics, especially as regards [[France]], he succeeded to the throne with widespread baronial support; although needing to defeat an assassination plot by those still unforgiving of Henry IV’s treatment of [[Richard II]] – and crushing a major [[John Wycliffe|Lollard]] uprising – in his first year as king.

For most of the last few years of his father’s reign he was the effective ruler of England as the king’s health declined. Whilst not always agreeing with his father’s politics, especially as regards [[France]], he succeeded to the throne with widespread baronial support; although needing to defeat an assassination plot by those still unforgiving of Henry IV’s treatment of [[Richard II]] – and crushing a major [[John Wycliffe|Lollard]] uprising – in his first year as king.

In 1415 he went to war with [[France]] over king [[Charles VI, king of France|Charles VI]]’s refusal to return the old [[Plantagenet]] lands of [[Normandy]] and [[Anjou]] as part of the dowry for his proposed marriage to Charles’ daughter, Catherine. His campaign in France climaxed with the celebrated [[Battle of Agincourt]]. Further campaigns during 1417-19 brought him to the walls of a starving [[Paris]]; and the [[Treaty of Troyes]] in 1420 made Henry heir to the French throne. The next year Catherine gave birth to a son, the future [[Henry VI]].

In 1415 he went to war with [[France]] over king [[Charles VI, king of France|Charles VI]]’s refusal to return the old [[Plantagenet]] lands of [[Normandy]] and [[Anjou]] as part of the dowry for his proposed marriage to Charles’ daughter, Catherine of Valois. His campaign in France climaxed with the celebrated [[Battle of Agincourt]]. Further campaigns during 1417-19 brought him to the walls of a starving [[Paris]]; and the [[Treaty of Troyes]] in 1420 made Henry heir to the French throne. The next year Catherine gave birth to a son, the future [[Henry VI]].

In 1421 he was forced back to France, campaigning against the [[Dauphin]] who, understandably, refused to accept Henry’s claim to the French throne. During a siege in 1422, he contracted dysentery, and died. His body was returned to England and buried in [[Westminster Abbey]] beneath his saddle, shield and helmet.

In 1421 he was forced back to France, campaigning against the [[Dauphin]] who, understandably, refused to accept Henry’s claim to the French throne. Already increasingly ill on account of his constant military activity, during a siege of the French city of Meaux in 1422, he contracted dysentery. Though he seemed to recover somewhat over the summer, an attempted journey to the Loire caused him to worsen significantly, and he had to be taken to the castle of Bois-de-Vincennes near Paris. He died there on August 31 or September 1, 1422. His body was returned to England and buried in [[Westminster Abbey]] beneath his saddle, shield and helmet.

Henry’s martial exploits are the stuff of legend – Shakespeare’s treatment only reinforces the national notion of the man as a leader of men and an inspiration for English endeavour. He was in the thick of every battle he fought. He proposed to settle the dowry business by personal combat with the Dauphin. He was described as tall, clean shaven, sinewy and agile; but, perhaps strangely, more clerical than military in appearance. He was well educated, a patron of the arts,  a scrupulous administrator and piously orthodox.

Henry’s martial exploits are the stuff of legend – Shakespeare’s treatment only reinforces the national notion of the man as a leader of men and an inspiration for English endeavour. He was in the thick of every battle he fought. He proposed to settle the dowry business by personal combat with the Dauphin. He was described as tall, clean shaven, sinewy and agile; but, perhaps strangely, more clerical than military in appearance. He was well educated, a patron of the arts,  a scrupulous administrator and piously orthodox.