Henry V

Military Experience:

• A very able military commander and warrior
• Faced a rebellion inspired by a heretical group (Lollards), which he surpressed with great firmness
• Winning a number of highly significant victories
• Led troops against his fromer ally, Henry Hotspur

Political Experience:

• Treaty of Troyes = agreement from English P.O.V that made Henry heir to France throne
• Gaining increasingly important role in governing the realm as part of a council that partly ruled in place of the king
• publicly excluded from political influence

• Henry was keen to regain a number of these losses
• Early in his reign he sent ambassadors to the French king, claiming all territories that were historically regarded as English
• Also asked Cathering of Valois in hand in marriage, accompanied by a large dowry
• The dauphin insulted Henry by sending tennis balls to him
• Adopted conciliatory attitude towards welsh, investigated complaints and issues
• Took measures to rehabilitate the Percy family, organised for Hotspur's heri to return to England
• Henry held king James I of Scotland as prisoner
• Henry agreed to a ten-year truce with druke of Brittany

Henry V's Leadership:

• Managed to cross River Somme, gained half a days march
• Organised tactics and troops
• United forces - king in battle inspired his troops
• Ordered prisoners to be killed

Military strength:

• Highly skilled archers (80& or army)
• Military experience in harfleur
• Tactics to provoke calvary, archers secretly behind army

Failures of French:

• Lack of clear leadership, French king didn't lead as he was ill
• Compact formation made it easier for archers and French panicked
• French had heavy armour and calvery at the back so soldiers could not retreat (didn't use geographical kowledge)

National Hero:

• Victories showed leadership and skill despite military disadvantage
• Reclaimed lands from 100-years war and Treaty of Troy
• Became heir to French crown = more power
• Appears to bring conclusion to the war and achieved patriotism and unity across England

Egotistical Villian:

• Killed French Prisoners - against military protocal
• Put lives at risk to defend his own honour
• Egotistical - believed victories meant he was rightful king and approval for French claims
• Easily angered - French tennis ball incident
• Ruthless towards the French

Succeses                                                               Failures

Treaty of Troyes                                                      Slaughtering huge amount of French

Battle of Agincourt                                                  Starving innocent civillians

Marriage to Catherine of Valouis                            Died too young

Anglo-Burgundian Alliance                                     Hot-headed

Percy family rehabilitation                                      Leaves an infant king (Henry VI)