Henry V minimized

The year was 1413.  Henry V had provided little evidence as the crown prince that as the king he would be up to the task. That was the wrong perception. England is about to go after France, based in part on the needs of the Church to protect its resources; that the young king’s great-great grandmother was a French princess; and that Church leaders wanted to protect their influence over public policy. 

1. Church leaders decide to convince the young prince that he should be France’s king through his great-great grandmother.  They believe that if legislation to tax the Church is set aside, that the Church might be able to finance a French military campaign, enabling the young king to secure the French crown. They do convince the king. Underestimating England’s young king, the French Dauphin irritates the king by given him a treasure chest full of tennis balls.

2. Richard earl of Cambridge is executed as a traitor.  Two of his grandsons become kings.  His son initiates the War of the Roses. He was a son of Edward III’s fifth son. It’s reported that Falstaff died, dying of a broken heart, it’s said. Henry V makes plans to invade France.

3. Henry V lands at Calais, moves south to Harfleur and convinces its city fathers to hand him the keys rather than have their city destroyed. The English and French prepare for battle the next morning; the English forces tired, cold and hungry; the French giddily confident. 

4. Henry V mingles with his troops the night before the battle, encouraging them.  The battle at Agincourt begins.  It ends a few hours later, the English victorious in a one-sided win. 

5. The French concede to the English.  Henry V sends his brothers and an aide to negotiate an acceptable peace, keeping the king’s daughter at his side as security.  He proposes marriage. The proposal is awkward, sweet and endearing.  Peace terms are acceptable to England’s king.  Katherine, the French princess, accepts his offer.  Her father agrees.

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