Henry V of England

King Richard II exiled Henrys father in 1398, but he returned in 1399 to overthrow the English throne and depose Richard. His father was now King Henry IV of England. 

 

Young Henry, now heir to the throne of England was named Prince of Wales. Now in charge of his father’s English forces, he spent the next few years fighting against the rebellious Welsh leader Owain Glyndwr, initially without success. Harry Hotspur was appointed to bring order to Wales, but he defected to Glyndwr’s side. 

 

Young Henry fought against Hotspur at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403 defeating him; he was however injured in the battle having been hit with an arrow in the face. Many would have died with this injury but Henry with the best care available survived, although he was scarred for life. 

 

Henrys father became unwell in 1410 and young Henry with support from his uncles, Henry Beaufort and Thomas Beaufort took control of the country. Henry imposed many policies during this time that differed greatly from his father. 

 

When Henry IV recovered from his illness, he was unhappy with his son’s behaviour and in November 1411 he discharged him from the council. 

 

Henry IV died in 1413 and young Henry ascended to the throne as Henry V on 20 March that same year. He was crowned on 9 April at Westminster Abbey, England. 

 

 

Henrys first problems were on home soil. He discovered a plot to have Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March take the throne from him in 1415, but he crushed this revolt. 

 

On 12 August 1415, Henry sailed to France to lay claim to the French throne. He first captured the port of Harfleur, then marched on and defeated the French at the Battle of Agincourt on 25 October 1415. In 1417 Henry laid siege to the city of Rouen; the people were starving and still Henry continued the siege with Rouen eventually falling in 1419. 

 

Henrys continued victories in France forced the French to sign the Treaty of Troyes in 1420. This stated that Henry would inherit the throne of France upon the death of King Charles VI of France. As part of this treaty, Henry married the Kings daughter Catherine of Valois on 2 June 1420. They had one son, the future Henry VI, born 6 December 1421. 

 

Henry V died suddenly on 31 August 1422, having reigned for nine years. He was never to take the French throne, having died two months before the King of France. He is buried at Westminster Abbey, England.