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Henry V: The Life of the Warrior King and the Battle of Agincourt
In the latter years of the fourteenth century a child was born, so unimportant that even his exact date of birth is unknown. Yet before his twenty-seventh birthday the turn of fortune’s wheel had brought him the crown of England. The kingdom he inherited as Henry V was deeply divided after the seizure of the throne by his father, Henry IV, the first Lancastrian king. Within a short time, however, by sheer force of personality and will, Henry had mended the rifts, pardoned and released prisoners, and united the whole country behind his claim not just to be King of England, but also King of France.One staggering victory against all the odds on the field of Agincourt brought him lasting fame, and took him within touching distance of succeeding in his claim. Henry V looks at the life and legacy of a king whose heroic achievements and tragic early death may truly be said to have changed the course of British history.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 17, 2015
Let’s talk of graves, of worms and epitaphs...
Our lands, our lives, and all are Bolingbroke’s;
And nothing can we call our own but death...
For God’s sake, let us sit upon the ground,
And tell sad stories of the death of kings—
How some have been deposed, some slain in war,
Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed,
Some poisoned by their wives, some sleeping killed,
All murdered.*
Prince Henry was not born an heir to the crown of a king, rather on the death of his older sibling, became the eldest son of Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV) , the latter himself an eldest son cast from a family lineage that included the reigning King Richard II. Biographer Teresa Cole adroitly leaps back a bit to sketch the conflict of the royal cousins who descended from King Edward III, narrating the path through Bolingbroke's usurpation of the throne from Richard and the ultimate passing of the hollow crown to Henry V.
One remarkable aspect highlighted of the prince of Wales' young life is that in his teen years, he fought at the battle of Shrewsbury where he almost lost his life when an arrow pierced and deeply embedded its head in his facial bones, barely missing brain and spinal cord. Furthermore, helping to squash the Percys' rebellion and hold his own against conflict in Wales provided the young Prince a strong military background, and the loyalty and trust of skilled captains which would in future serve him well.
Shakespeare portrays young Prince Henry as a medieval 'badboy' given to "drunkenness, frequenting taverns in Eastcheap with men of low birth, brawling and robbery, serving 'Venus as well as Mars' " - a ring of truth given his age, yet the author says this does not fit his general character profile. She attributes Henry's behavior as perhaps "reaction to his father's apparent ingratitude for long and faithful service."
Reconciliation of the long standing dissension between father and son seemed so contradictory to Henry's otherwise nonchalant mindset, yet at his father's deathbed, a complete reformation was seen: becoming as upright as he once was not, developing an elevated sense of piety soon after his coronation, proof that Henry's royal conscience matured to fit the responsibilities of the Crown and widened his ambitious vision of reclaiming what was rightly his and England's - the sovereignty of France.
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act,
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene.
Then should the warlike Harry, like himself,
Assume the port of Mars, and at his heels,
Leashed in like hounds, should famine, sword, and fire
Crouch for employment.**
His most historical legend first launched on the beaches of Normandy in 1415, with a barrage of ships heavy with armies of men, horses, carts and artillery, landing with hardly a drawn breath from the French. This triumphant beach landing might have inspired another similar invasion some 500 years later that was the start of the end of WW II; a courageous act so acclaimed by Winston Churchill, he "demanded that a film be made of Shakespeare's Henry V and that film itself was dedicated to those who were at the time fighting in Normandy in the very places where Henry himself had fought."
Henry led his fully armored soldiers and cumbersome battle gear through mud-slicked, unfamiliar terrain, rallied his troops and boosted their spirits by visiting and talking with them in camp before the siege and successful taking of Harfleur. Further on, even as food supplies diminished and illness threatened, against all odds for he was greatly outnumbered in warriors, he defeated the well-manned French army in the most famously known fight of his reign. Here, Teresa Cole excels at suspenseful detail of Henry's wartime narrative, of his solidly thought-out tactics; the current politics, strengths and weaknesses of France - King Charles VI caught in cycles of madness, too feeble minded to be useful; and the inexperienced, teenaged Dauphin too innocent to govern - moving such opposing winds to advantage and turning the tides of fate in his favor.
"It is a military cliché that battles are won and lost on intelligence," says Cole, such information from prisoners and spies surely would have helped Henry. The fact that the English was outnumbered by an estimated 3:1 must have been daunting - victory then would come down to careful attack at key points and superior, innovative weaponry such as fields of sharpened stakes or well-armed archers empowered with longbows and spewing bodkin arrows which when fired "at close range even penetrate steel plate." It must have been an ominous sight as thousands of spiraling arrows darkened the skies in thunderous flight; let loosed, they rained upon the tightly crammed flanks of the bloated French army, the latter's targeted bodies fell upon each other like dominoes, many suffocating in the crush. Victory was granted to Henry V who declared, by the name of the castle visible from the field: "this battle will now and for ever be known as the battle of Agincourt."
Cole surmises that when Henry died from dysentery, he left a legacy that glowed with greatness as an inspiring leader, on field and off; an innovator who first had the vision of "controlling the seas, particularly between England and Calais;" he revised royal finances and administration, implemented a formal indenture system and pay scheme for his armies, stopped looting as a victory right instead instigating chivalric discipline amongst his troops. Had he not died in the middle of unfinished projects, it is possible that France might have remained part of the UK through the period hence. Cole, noting that Henry V was flawed but hardly the character in the Shakespearean drama, still quotes WS in the end:
Small time, but in that small most greatly lived this star of England.
*Excerpt from The Tragedy of King Richard II by William Shakespeare.
**Excerpt from The Life of Henry V by William Shakespeare.
This vigorously narrated, well sourced biography comes highly recommended.
My copy is a kindle version, hardcopy due to be released in May 2015.
Our lands, our lives, and all are Bolingbroke’s;
And nothing can we call our own but death...
For God’s sake, let us sit upon the ground,
And tell sad stories of the death of kings—
How some have been deposed, some slain in war,
Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed,
Some poisoned by their wives, some sleeping killed,
All murdered.*
Prince Henry was not born an heir to the crown of a king, rather on the death of his older sibling, became the eldest son of Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV) , the latter himself an eldest son cast from a family lineage that included the reigning King Richard II. Biographer Teresa Cole adroitly leaps back a bit to sketch the conflict of the royal cousins who descended from King Edward III, narrating the path through Bolingbroke's usurpation of the throne from Richard and the ultimate passing of the hollow crown to Henry V.
One remarkable aspect highlighted of the prince of Wales' young life is that in his teen years, he fought at the battle of Shrewsbury where he almost lost his life when an arrow pierced and deeply embedded its head in his facial bones, barely missing brain and spinal cord. Furthermore, helping to squash the Percys' rebellion and hold his own against conflict in Wales provided the young Prince a strong military background, and the loyalty and trust of skilled captains which would in future serve him well.
Shakespeare portrays young Prince Henry as a medieval 'badboy' given to "drunkenness, frequenting taverns in Eastcheap with men of low birth, brawling and robbery, serving 'Venus as well as Mars' " - a ring of truth given his age, yet the author says this does not fit his general character profile. She attributes Henry's behavior as perhaps "reaction to his father's apparent ingratitude for long and faithful service."
Reconciliation of the long standing dissension between father and son seemed so contradictory to Henry's otherwise nonchalant mindset, yet at his father's deathbed, a complete reformation was seen: becoming as upright as he once was not, developing an elevated sense of piety soon after his coronation, proof that Henry's royal conscience matured to fit the responsibilities of the Crown and widened his ambitious vision of reclaiming what was rightly his and England's - the sovereignty of France.
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act,
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene.
Then should the warlike Harry, like himself,
Assume the port of Mars, and at his heels,
Leashed in like hounds, should famine, sword, and fire
Crouch for employment.**
His most historical legend first launched on the beaches of Normandy in 1415, with a barrage of ships heavy with armies of men, horses, carts and artillery, landing with hardly a drawn breath from the French. This triumphant beach landing might have inspired another similar invasion some 500 years later that was the start of the end of WW II; a courageous act so acclaimed by Winston Churchill, he "demanded that a film be made of Shakespeare's Henry V and that film itself was dedicated to those who were at the time fighting in Normandy in the very places where Henry himself had fought."
Henry led his fully armored soldiers and cumbersome battle gear through mud-slicked, unfamiliar terrain, rallied his troops and boosted their spirits by visiting and talking with them in camp before the siege and successful taking of Harfleur. Further on, even as food supplies diminished and illness threatened, against all odds for he was greatly outnumbered in warriors, he defeated the well-manned French army in the most famously known fight of his reign. Here, Teresa Cole excels at suspenseful detail of Henry's wartime narrative, of his solidly thought-out tactics; the current politics, strengths and weaknesses of France - King Charles VI caught in cycles of madness, too feeble minded to be useful; and the inexperienced, teenaged Dauphin too innocent to govern - moving such opposing winds to advantage and turning the tides of fate in his favor.
"It is a military cliché that battles are won and lost on intelligence," says Cole, such information from prisoners and spies surely would have helped Henry. The fact that the English was outnumbered by an estimated 3:1 must have been daunting - victory then would come down to careful attack at key points and superior, innovative weaponry such as fields of sharpened stakes or well-armed archers empowered with longbows and spewing bodkin arrows which when fired "at close range even penetrate steel plate." It must have been an ominous sight as thousands of spiraling arrows darkened the skies in thunderous flight; let loosed, they rained upon the tightly crammed flanks of the bloated French army, the latter's targeted bodies fell upon each other like dominoes, many suffocating in the crush. Victory was granted to Henry V who declared, by the name of the castle visible from the field: "this battle will now and for ever be known as the battle of Agincourt."
Cole surmises that when Henry died from dysentery, he left a legacy that glowed with greatness as an inspiring leader, on field and off; an innovator who first had the vision of "controlling the seas, particularly between England and Calais;" he revised royal finances and administration, implemented a formal indenture system and pay scheme for his armies, stopped looting as a victory right instead instigating chivalric discipline amongst his troops. Had he not died in the middle of unfinished projects, it is possible that France might have remained part of the UK through the period hence. Cole, noting that Henry V was flawed but hardly the character in the Shakespearean drama, still quotes WS in the end:
Small time, but in that small most greatly lived this star of England.
*Excerpt from The Tragedy of King Richard II by William Shakespeare.
**Excerpt from The Life of Henry V by William Shakespeare.
This vigorously narrated, well sourced biography comes highly recommended.
My copy is a kindle version, hardcopy due to be released in May 2015.
July 17, 2015
A very straightforward narrative. Nothing remotely "scholarly". Does it add anything?
November 6, 2019
Informative to the end
I have read much about the English monarchy but other than Agincourt I knew little about Henry V. This book has filled in many gaps.
I have read much about the English monarchy but other than Agincourt I knew little about Henry V. This book has filled in many gaps.
July 27, 2024
‘Henry stood out among his bedraggled band like a peacock among geese.’ Cole remarks, describing Henry V in his rather ridiculous armor in the battle of Agincourt, but even so in the global scene of the time. He was bold, young, fiercely determined and not afraid to stand out in battle and in life.
His fame sometimes overshadowed by the sixth Henry and his stories of discarded wives, or by the controversial rise to power of Henry IV or Henry VI, Henry V is undoubtedly the most prominent of the endless Henry’s in english history. And though Henry VIII often likened himself to the Hero of Agincourt, Henry V was far superior to him, and bared little resemblance to his namesakes.
I picked this book up on the airport, on a whim, and i’m so glad that i did. The book was short but detailed and provided a full picture account of Henry, with multiple French and English sources. It was sometimes hard to read, partly due to the author’s writing style and partly due to the multiple similarities in names and ever changing titles (which is to expected with any piece of literature on medieval history). I enjoyed it immensely and have gained a new profound admiration for Henry the fifth. It’s also noteworthy to point out the author’s skill in connecting the past, future and other important dynasties (Lancaster, Tudor, York, Burgundy, Armagnac to name a few most relevant) to Henry V’s storyline. Delving into related stories and characters of the Catholic Church, Holy Roman Emperor, Ireland and Scotland, Joan of Arc etc. But at it’s core, the book stands as a story of a short but magnificent life led by a powerful, devout, genius, occasionally cruel although mostly generous and extremely courageous king.
Henry V was a man of his word, a man of few words but no doubt a born leader… Many adjectives both negative and positive are used to describe this legendary historical figure but i find (as i think the author finds, as they have concluded their book with this quote) that the most effective description is by William Shakespeare: ‘Small time, but in that small most greatly lived this star of England.‘ ✦
From his birth to his death, in his reign of 10 years, he achieved everything he set out to do with great confidence in himself and his ‘cause’. And most importantly he legitimized his claims and victories by making everyone else believe in him as much as he did himself. He didn’t only do this by brute force, as some accounts would paint it out to be, but by celebrating and closely monetizing every fraction of his men and country, noblemen and countrymen alike.
It is also noteworthy to point out the incredible team of warrior soldiers, scholars, advisors and friends the King had available to him from his youth; his Beaufort uncles (Thomas & Henry) his younger brothers (Thomas, John and Humphrey of Lancaster), Arundel & Warwick, to name a few most influential. Henry V was a great judge of character, and used these valuable characters of state and family as best fit to their talents and personalities. The book was extremely helpful in painting Henry V’s surrounding family and friends as well as foes.
Now it’s only right that i read Henry V’s life again… but Shakespearean:)
His fame sometimes overshadowed by the sixth Henry and his stories of discarded wives, or by the controversial rise to power of Henry IV or Henry VI, Henry V is undoubtedly the most prominent of the endless Henry’s in english history. And though Henry VIII often likened himself to the Hero of Agincourt, Henry V was far superior to him, and bared little resemblance to his namesakes.
I picked this book up on the airport, on a whim, and i’m so glad that i did. The book was short but detailed and provided a full picture account of Henry, with multiple French and English sources. It was sometimes hard to read, partly due to the author’s writing style and partly due to the multiple similarities in names and ever changing titles (which is to expected with any piece of literature on medieval history). I enjoyed it immensely and have gained a new profound admiration for Henry the fifth. It’s also noteworthy to point out the author’s skill in connecting the past, future and other important dynasties (Lancaster, Tudor, York, Burgundy, Armagnac to name a few most relevant) to Henry V’s storyline. Delving into related stories and characters of the Catholic Church, Holy Roman Emperor, Ireland and Scotland, Joan of Arc etc. But at it’s core, the book stands as a story of a short but magnificent life led by a powerful, devout, genius, occasionally cruel although mostly generous and extremely courageous king.
Henry V was a man of his word, a man of few words but no doubt a born leader… Many adjectives both negative and positive are used to describe this legendary historical figure but i find (as i think the author finds, as they have concluded their book with this quote) that the most effective description is by William Shakespeare: ‘Small time, but in that small most greatly lived this star of England.‘ ✦
From his birth to his death, in his reign of 10 years, he achieved everything he set out to do with great confidence in himself and his ‘cause’. And most importantly he legitimized his claims and victories by making everyone else believe in him as much as he did himself. He didn’t only do this by brute force, as some accounts would paint it out to be, but by celebrating and closely monetizing every fraction of his men and country, noblemen and countrymen alike.
It is also noteworthy to point out the incredible team of warrior soldiers, scholars, advisors and friends the King had available to him from his youth; his Beaufort uncles (Thomas & Henry) his younger brothers (Thomas, John and Humphrey of Lancaster), Arundel & Warwick, to name a few most influential. Henry V was a great judge of character, and used these valuable characters of state and family as best fit to their talents and personalities. The book was extremely helpful in painting Henry V’s surrounding family and friends as well as foes.
Now it’s only right that i read Henry V’s life again… but Shakespearean:)
December 31, 2017
Henry V was a child of relative insignificance, but became one of England’s most renowned kings, able to unite and stabilise a kingdom on the verge of yet another civil war, and to make a successful bid for the throne of France after an against-the-odds victory at Agincourt. No doubt he would’ve done more if not from his untimely death. He left behind an infant son he never saw who would be unable to maintain his father’s achievements and the kingdom would once again descend into chaos with the Wars of the Roses. Yet Henry V would remain a model of English kingship and be immortalised by Shakespeare.
After watching the first series of The Hollow Crown (which adapts Shakespeare’s plays about Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V), I was curious about the real history behind the fiction of Shakespeare, and picked up Teresa Cole’s Henry V: The Life of the Warrior King and the Battle of Agincourt.
Being something of a history nerd, but one that’s relatively ignorant of this time period, I don’t know well how well Teresa Cole’s take on Henry V stacks up to others’. What I did enjoy was that her approach made the book totally accessible for a newbie without dumbing it down. The writing was clear and there was enough narrative momentum to keep me engaged. In offering her own conclusions about Henry V, she also acknowledged other interpretations, so it felt obvious that she had assessed these before coming to her own conclusions. This is always refreshing to see. History is often full of debates and uncertainties, and while it might seem confusing or overly complicated, I always think better of an author that doesn’t simplify things by ignoring or glossing over contradictory or contentious aspects.
I also really enjoyed how Cole sums up her subject, reminding us that we see him through a lens of propaganda from both the English (who loved him) and the French (who loathed him), and the immensely influential, but not necessarily historically accurate work of William Shakespeare. But more to the point, she concludes that Henry was as human as the rest of us, flawed and complex and not easily defined as “good” or “bad”.
This all adds up to Henry V: The Life of the Warrior King and the Battle of Agincourt being the perfect read for me in my current state. It’s authoritative, well-written and thoroughly absorbing, without feeling too complicated or immense in scope. It also whets the appetite for more.
After watching the first series of The Hollow Crown (which adapts Shakespeare’s plays about Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V), I was curious about the real history behind the fiction of Shakespeare, and picked up Teresa Cole’s Henry V: The Life of the Warrior King and the Battle of Agincourt.
Being something of a history nerd, but one that’s relatively ignorant of this time period, I don’t know well how well Teresa Cole’s take on Henry V stacks up to others’. What I did enjoy was that her approach made the book totally accessible for a newbie without dumbing it down. The writing was clear and there was enough narrative momentum to keep me engaged. In offering her own conclusions about Henry V, she also acknowledged other interpretations, so it felt obvious that she had assessed these before coming to her own conclusions. This is always refreshing to see. History is often full of debates and uncertainties, and while it might seem confusing or overly complicated, I always think better of an author that doesn’t simplify things by ignoring or glossing over contradictory or contentious aspects.
I also really enjoyed how Cole sums up her subject, reminding us that we see him through a lens of propaganda from both the English (who loved him) and the French (who loathed him), and the immensely influential, but not necessarily historically accurate work of William Shakespeare. But more to the point, she concludes that Henry was as human as the rest of us, flawed and complex and not easily defined as “good” or “bad”.
This all adds up to Henry V: The Life of the Warrior King and the Battle of Agincourt being the perfect read for me in my current state. It’s authoritative, well-written and thoroughly absorbing, without feeling too complicated or immense in scope. It also whets the appetite for more.
October 23, 2020
As someone whose knowledge of medieval English history is lacking, I found this biography of one of the country's greatest Kings fascinating and informative. I have always had trouble with Shakespeare's English history plays and wanted to read more about the subject of one of the texts I struggled with the most. Although it has not increased my opinion of the play, I have gained a greater appreciation for the period and historical figure. Cole's biography is clearly written, if a tad simplistic, making accessible to any reader. She brilliantly examines the multiple accounts of Henry V's life in an unbiased way, challenging the 'established facts.' I would recommend this biography to anyone interested in learning more about English history.
August 3, 2020
A perfectly competent, well-written book. But is this really all the sources on Henry V? If so, then they're very scanty. Not Cole's fault, of course. I just expected a lot more, given that Henry V is so famous. Mostly down to Shakespeare, I suppose. Not that much new in this book if you've already read the Sumption books. But it's a decent enough read.
August 1, 2020
Really good read
If you’re interested in Henry V and the times he lived and reigned in,, then this is a pretty good book to have. Highly recommended.
If you’re interested in Henry V and the times he lived and reigned in,, then this is a pretty good book to have. Highly recommended.
January 24, 2020
If you have the history or biography bug you will enjoy this story. Good luck tracking the names and relationships of the all the families. Even tho the family tree is complex the book is still worth reading.
November 14, 2024
This reading has olde English and some French thrown in that makes it a little hard to follow.
May 5, 2026
A lovely, straightforward take on King Henry V. Teresa delves quite extensively into the military technology of the time which was quite unexpected but certainly not unwelcome!
July 31, 2016
A very enjoyable and brief history of one of England's favourite Kings. Cole does a good job of remaining impartial throughout and gives her facts clearly and in a very readable manner. The book does lack slightly for depth and is probably best used just as a starting point for the period/King Henry.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews