Henry V (1387-1422), king of England, son of Henry IV, whom he succeeded in 1413. The Lollard movement caused the government anxiety, and Henry continued his father’s repressive policy. Meanwhile the ravage of privateers from Normandy made an invasion of France popular. Henry became regent of France, with the right of succession, and married the French princess Catherine. For the rest of his life Henry was occupied in Anglicizing Normandy, and in checking risings in France against the English predominance. See Kingsford’s Henry V, and Church’s Henry V (1889). [World Wide Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1935]


Henry V (courtesy of Corbis-Bettmann)Notes on King Henry V (ruled 1413-1422)
The eldest son and successor of Henry IV was born at Monmouth in 1387. When he only 16 years old he was in command of the English forces that defeated the Percys and Neville at the Battle of Shrewsbury. He helped put down the Welsh revolt, and in 1411 he led an expedition to France. His father’s long illness brought him heavy political responsibilities early in life. These strenuous early years devoted to war and politics contradict the tradition, immortalized by Shakespeare, that "Prince Hal," companion of the fat knight Falstaff, was a riotous madcap. Henry proved to be a forceful king and great military commander Henry put forth again the claim to the French throne, formerly raised by Edward III. He thereby renewed the Hundred Years’ War. By his brilliant victory at Agincourt in 1415, he conquered all the northern half of France. Five years later, he married Catherine of Valois, and it was agreed that he should become King of France after the death of her father, the insane Charles VI. But Henry died of camp fever at Bois de Vincennes, France, in August 1422, leaving as heir to his rights in both kingdoms, his infant son Henry, who was but nine months old. {Chamber’s Biographical Dictionary} [GADD.GED]


Henry V (of England) (1387-1422), king of England (1413-22), known for his victorious campaigns against France, born at Monmouth in August or September 1387. He was the son and successor of Henry IV. In 1403 Henry led the royal army that defeated the rebellious Percy family, led by Sir Henry Percy, at Shrewsbury. He also commanded the English forces that put down the revolt of the Welsh chief Owen Glendower. In 1410-11, when his father was incapacitated by illness, Henry headed the royal council, but was removed after a political quarrel with his father. On succeeding to the throne in 1413 Henry V restored Sir Henry Percy's son to his lands and titles; he also honorably reburied at Westminster Abbey the remains of Richard II, who had been deposed by Henry IV and had died in prison during the latter's reign. The new king continued his father's policy in persecuting the religious sect known as the Lollards and executed their leader, Sir John Oldcastle, in 1417.

In 1415 Henry warred against France, winning in that same year the Battle of Agincourt. The following year he allied himself with the Holy Roman emperor Sigismund, and in 1417 he began the conquest of Normandy, completing it with the capture of Rouen two years later. He concluded a peace treaty with Charles VI of France at Troyes in 1420, obtaining Charles's daughter, Catherine of Valois, in marriage and securing the promise of succession to the French throne on the death of Charles. When Henry returned to England in 1421, leaving his brother Thomas, duke of Clarence, as governor of Normandy, the French rose in opposition to English rule and defeated the duke. Henry returned to France for a third campaign, but he became ill and died. He was the most influential ruler in western Europe at the time of his death in Vincennes, France, August 31, 1422. He was succeeded by his son Henry VI. [Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia]

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