Henry V (1387-1422)

Henry V of England had a reputation as a stern but just ruler. Most of his reign was taken up by war with the French and such was his success that by 1420 he was recognized as the heir to the reigning French monarch, Charles VI, whose daughter he married.

King of England from 1413, son of Henry IV. Invading Normandy in 1415 (during the Hundred Years' War), he captured Harfleur and defeated the French at Agincourt. He invaded again in 1417-19, capturing Rouen. His military victory forced the French into the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, which gave Henry control of the French government. He married Catherine of Valois in 1420 and gained recognition as heir to the French throne by his father-in-law Charles VI, but died before him. He was succeeded by his son Henry VI.

Henry was knighted at the age of 12 by Richard II on his Irish expedition of 1399, and experienced war early. He was wounded in the face by an arrow while fighting against his military tutor Harry ‘Hotspur’ at Shrewsbury. Campaigns in Wales against Owen Glendower taught him the realities of siege warfare. He was succeeded by his son Henry VI.

Henry was a cold and ruthless soldier, respected by his contemporaries as a chivalric warrior. Determined to revive the war in France, his invasion of 1415 was impressively organized but his siege of Harfleur took too long, reducing his intended grand chevauchée (raid through enemy territory) to a reckless dash to Calais. Although his tiny, bedraggled army was cut off by a superior French force, it achieved a surprising victory at the Battle of Agincourt. When Henry returned, it was with the serious intent to defeat Normandy, which he succeeded in doing and included the long, bitter Siege of Rouen 1418-19. Military pressure on Paris ensured the favourable Treaty of Troyes in 1420, making him heir to the French throne, but he contracted dysentery conducting the siege of Meaux.