Henry V (1387 – 1422)

Henry V’s place in history is defined by his victory in the Battle of Agincourt, which unified the Kingdoms of England and France, and his legend was further established by William Shakespeare’s pen.

Henry was born in Monmouth in Wales of the house of Lancaster. As prince, Henry battled against the Welsh rebellion of Owain Glyndwr around 1408 and gained a reputation as a solider and tactician.

Henry succeeded his father Henry IV to the throne in 1413 and launched a campaign against the French, which finally brought an end to the Hundred Years War. The English were desperately outnumbered, with 36,000 French including their best Knights facing Henry’s army of 5,900 men. But a combination of muddy terrain and Henry’s Longbow men brought about an outstanding victory to the English and the obliteration of the cream of France.

Henry’s reputation was greatly raised during Elizabethan times by Shakespeare’s treatment in his play regarding the Battle of Agincourt and the events leading up to it. Henry is depicted as the quintessential English Hero with classic film re-workings of Henry V starring Laurence Olivier in 1944 and Kenneth Branagh in 1989, in the lead role.

In Shakespeare’s play and Olivier’s film, Henry V is viewed as a patriotic rallying cry and was utilised at times when Britain was under threat from a stronger foe from overseas – the Spanish in Elizabethan times and the Germans during World War II.

While many revisionists have criticised the historic view of Henry V and Agincourt and propaganda, Henry V’s image as an icon and legend is still strongly held in Britain.