Henry V

Henry was born at Monmouth, 9th August 1387, of Henry IV and Mary de Bohun. He ascended the Throne on 20th March 1413.

Henry was the last, perhaps the ablest, of the medieval warrior-kings. He made England once more a continental power. Reviving the French wars, he won a sensational victory at Agincourt (1415). In 1417-19 he re-conquered Normandy, advanced to Paris, and signed the Treaty of Troyes (1420), gaining Charles VI's daughter and recognition as regent, and heir to the French throne. This was not popular in France, but Henry died, perhaps fortunately, before his grandiose plans of conquest could be fulfilled. Nevertheless he took the titles of Duke of Normandy (from 1417), Regent of France (1420).

Henry's victory against heavy odds at Agincourt has been ascribed to the superiority of the longbow, though the muddy fields that the French knights had to navigate played no small part.

He married Catherine de Valois, daughter of Charles VI of France in 1420 and they had one son, the future Henry VI. He died at Vincennes of dysentery on 31st August 1422 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.