Henry V: The Warrior King of 1415

by Ian Mortimer, James Cameron Stewart (Narrator)

This insightful look at the life of Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt casts new light on a period in history often held up as legend. A great English hero, Henry V was lionized by Shakespeare and revered by his countrymen for his religious commitment, his sense of justice, and his military victories.

Here, noted historian and biographer Ian Mortimer takes a look at the man behind the legend and offers a clear, historically accurate, and realistic representation of a ruler who was all too human.

Genres: History

Audible Audio

Published November 7, 2017

About the author

AKA James Forrester.

Dr Ian Mortimer is a historian and novelist, best known for his Time Traveller's Guides series. He has BA, MA, PhD and DLitt degrees from the University of Exeter and UCL. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and was awarded the Alexander Prize by the Royal Historical Society in 2004. Home is the small Dartmoor town of Moretonhampstead, which he occasioanlly introduces in his books. His most recet book, 'Medieval Horizons' looks at how life changed between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries.

He also writes in other genres: his fourth novel 'The Outcasts of Time' won the 2018 Winston Graham Prize for historical fiction. His earlier trilogy of novels set in the 1560s were published under his middle names, James Forrester. In 2017 he wrote 'Why Running Matters' - a memoir of running in the year he turned fifty.

At present he is concentrating on writing history books that have experimental perspectives on the past. One example is a study of England as it would have appeared to the people living in his house over the last thousand years. This is provisionally entitled 'The History of England through the Windows of an Ordinary House'. It is due for completion in December 2024 and publication in 2026.

Reviews

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book providing an innovative approach to royal biography through its unique day-by-day format. The author, historian Ian Mortimer, reconstructs one year in the life of one of England’s more famed monarchs, resulting in a detailed account that blends narrative history with deep insight. Rather than delivering a conventional lifetime biography, Mortimer zooms in on the year of the Battle of Agincourt, with daily entries to explore the political, military, and personal actions of Henry’s kingship. This structure allows for a granular understanding of Henry’s motives, decision-making, political objectives, and logistical considerations. It also offers an immersive experience to the period, revealing in detail the processes and institutions of medieval governance. Mortimer ends with an deep assessment of Henry V, lauding his military and political acumen, but questioning his underlying motives and objectives. A great book for anyone interested in the mechanics of medieval rule. Highly recommended for those seeking a deeper, more textured understanding of Henry V’s role in shaping the late Hundred Years War and the environment that led to the War of the Roses.

[ExtraGravy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The form of this book was rather novel in that it proceeded day by day. Some days not much happened, making short sections, while other days, e.g. Battle of Agincourt, are quite long. The daily entries provided an interesting point of view, especially powerful in demonstrating the effort and time spent leading up to the famous battle. Also, there is something about getting a sense of how someone spends their days that communicates priorities more viscerally than a narrative approach.

Recommendations:

If you want to learn about Henry V and enjoy a well paced narrative while doing so, then I suggest you read Dan Jones' book instead of this one.

If you already know the story quite well but happen to be like me and want to check out a novel approach to writing history then check this one out.

[Kathie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

How refreshing to read a book written by an author who looks upon Henry V as the horrifically flawed male he was, and not the fictional hero of all England that William Shakespeare foisted upon us to sell books or stage plays that raked in ticket sales.