Henry V: An Icon of Chivalry

Henry V continually encouraged England as a nation that was like no other, but mostly when it came to language. Henry V wanted all government documents to be written in English. Before they had used Latin or French, but Henry V encouraged English so the common peasant could understand. Most of Henry V’s earlier reforms, such as law and finances, were to arrange England to fight France he had almost met all the requirements for which kings were to be judged. Only war was left to be resolved.

Henry set his eyes on the port of Harfleur, which was a French naval base and full of supplies that they could use. Henry had laid siege, but many of his men had died from battle and sickness, with the winter approaching no less. The French should have annihilated Henry and his Englishmen, but the deep mud and French mistakes lead to victory at Agincourt. Henry and his soldiers were greeted like royalty or heros.

In 1416, having some sort of a promise for help from John the “Fearless,” Henry went back to France in July 1417 with the motive to conquest Normandy. Henry’s primary reputation was based solely on his battle at Agincourt; his foe’s strategy was a key part of his victory, but his Normandy victory proved Henry to live up to his name.

From the beginning of July, Henry controlled his army for three years, attacking towns and castles. The tactics Henry used are said to be quite amazing, he wanted Normandy forever, completely controlled. Although it sounds like Henry V was harsh, he did let people who accepter him to keep their land and destroyed those who were opposed to him.

Once Henry had Normandy in his power his marched deeper into the heart of France. If France had united itself against Henry V, he would have been in trouble. John the Fearless was assassinated during a meeting with the Dauphin, therefore the Burgundians started to make a deal with Henry.

Finally Henry was dubbed heir as the King of France after marrying Charles VI’s daughter, Katherine. Though because Henry V was now the heir, Charles’ son, the Dauphin Charles, was no longer in the line, and Henry’s line would continue, having England and France.

During the winter of 1421, Henry V besieged Meaux, one of the last strongholds the Dauphin had in the north, which fell in May of 1422. While this was going on, on December 6th, Henry V’s first and only son, Henry, was born. However, the king had also caught a sickness which he kept until the next siege where he had to be carried into. Henry V,  King of England and of France died on August 31st, 1422, at Bois de Vincennes.