Henry V was the son of Henry IV. At the time of his birth, Henry IV was only a count and was exiled by Charles II. Henry the Younger lived with Charles II and was well educated. Therefore, little Henry has an eye and knowledge that the average child does not have. When Henry IV usurped the throne, henry the younger was made Prince of Wales. Until the death of Henry IV, Henry the Younger became King of England, Henry V.
Henry V reigned for only nine years. But in nine years, he conquered all of Normandy, conquered most of France, and became king of France. And married Catherine, daughter of King Charles VI of France. Unfortunately, just as he was in a good mood, the god of death quietly approached him. In the ninth year of his reign, Henry V died. He placed all his wishes on his infant child. But Henry VI really did not have the ability to fulfill his wish. Therefore, all the countries laid down by Henry V during his reign were gradually lost under Henry VI.
<h1>How Shakespeare presented Henry V</h1>
1, young and promising, the first appearance of the sharp edge
In Henry IV, the talent of the young Prince of Wales (i.e., Henry V) can actually be seen.
When Wales was young, he was debauched. Have fun every day with robbers like Falstaff. Henry IV was very disappointed in Henry the Younger. Little Henry seems to be greedy for pleasure, but in fact he is in the game and his heart is political. And he deliberately hid his political talents, and he could unexpectedly show his ability in the future.
But when he saw his father's disappointment in him, he began to reform himself and paid all his attention to the affairs of the country. Henry the Younger began to assist his father in the war and acted alone. Henry IV finally trusted him and gave all command to Henry the Younger.
In a short period of time, Henry the Younger formed a powerful army. Defeated the aggressors.
In addition to being able to stand alone militarily, he was also able to become Henry IV's right hand man politically. He was an important member of his father's Council and later became its leader. Although for a time, he and Henry IV had some political disagreements. But with the death of Henry IV, a political split between them was avoided. All political rights went to Henry V.
2. Micro-service private visits have won the hearts of the people
Because France and England had always been at odds with each other, and Because King Charles VI of France refused to recognize Henry IV as King of England, he often invaded England.
The King of France sent emissaries to give Henry V a box of tennis balls, in fact, to humiliate Henry V's debauchery in his youth. This move infuriated Henry V. He was determined to raise troops against France and to capture it.
When Henry V personally led his troops to the vicinity of Agincourt in France, he encountered several times the enemy of France. A great war is imminent, but the military is unstable. In order to stabilize the morale of the army, Henry V wore ordinary civilian clothes and came to the military camp for a private visit. Talk to many soldiers, and boost morale, and stimulate the patriotic enthusiasm of the soldiers. The next day, the morale of the soldiers was high, and they annihilated the enemy in one fell swoop. This is the famous Battle of Agincourt.
It can be seen that Henry V was a very appealing and popular leader. He was able to turn an ordinary team into an elite unit in one night. Moreover, the soldiers fought bloody battles on the battlefield, feared life and death, and were willing to dedicate their lives for the country. This cohesion of Henry V was also his unique leadership skill.
3. Conquer France and show your political talents
In fact, Henry V only took nine years from the time of his death. In just nine years, he conquered all of Normandy and recovered most of France.
One of henry V's most important victories over France was the Agincourt War. In this war, the French army was three times the size of the British army. But in this battle, more than 6,000 French troops were killed, and countless soldiers were taken prisoner. But Britain suffered very little damage.
The victory in this war also caused many French nobles to begin to support Britain. It laid a solid foundation for Henry V's reconquest of France.
Two years later, Henry V made a second expedition to France, supported by Emperor Sigismund of the Holy Roman Empire. This time, he completely recovered the whole of Normandy and became the owner of this territory.
Henry V forced the King of France to sign the Treaty of Troyes. It is clearly stated in the treaty that France will be part of the United Kingdom of England and France. King Henry V of England proclaimed himself King of France and held the right to succeed to the French throne after the death of King Charles VI. It also divided the territory of France among King Henry V of England. All male heirs in England have the right to inherit the French throne.
As a king, he must be personal in all his political affairs. Work day and night to maintain a stable regime in the country. From the moment on, he did not stop at all. So he died when he had just acquired a large territory. At this time, his infant children were not yet capable of becoming the next generation of good kings.
<h1>Was Henry V really a good monarch? </h1>
Although Shakespeare always regarded Henry V as the ideal monarch in his mind. However, many people's evaluation of Henry V is mixed.
First, when Henry V conquered France, he slaughtered thousands of ordinary people. And many of the captives were executed by him. This act of his triggered a lot of scolding. Felt that his behavior was too brutal.
Second, Henry V did not feel any sense of guilt for his actions after slaughtering many innocent people and occupying French territory. This makes many people feel that he has no sense of morality and responsibility.
In fact, there is a saying: "One will become a thousand bones.". Throughout the ages, a king wants to keep his throne, or wants to expand his territory, who does not have blood on his hands?
Therefore, the killing of one king alone does not negate all his achievements. Whether he is a good king or not depends on whether he can give the people a stable and peaceful life during his reign. In handling the affairs of the dprk, whether it is possible to kill decisively and not to be emotional.
In any case, in Shakespeare's pen, Henry V was indeed a good monarch. Shakespeare portrayed Henry V as a good leader with a clear love-hate, affinity, and warrior spirit. He is a hero who has both the iron blood of a soldier and the ability to integrate into the people.
Just as there are a thousand Hamlets in the eyes of a thousand people, the deeds of a king can only be seen by the benevolent and the wise. After his death, Wu Zetian left a wordless stele in front of the tomb. She hopes that what she has done will be left to future generations to comment. Whether Henry V can be called a good monarch can only be left to posterity.