Henry V: The Conscience of a King

About this book

More than just a single-minded warrior-king Henry V comes to life in this fresh account as a gifted ruler acutely conscious of spiritual matters and his subjects welfare Shakespeares centuries-old portrayal of Henry V established the kings reputation as a warmongering monarch a perception that has persisted ever since. But in this exciting thoroughly researched volume a different view of Henry emerges: a multidimensional ruler of great piety a hands-on governor who introduced a radically new conception of Englands European role in secular and ecclesiastical affairs a composer of music an art patron and a dutiful king who fully appreciated his obligations toward those he ruled. Historian Malcolm Vale draws on extensive primary archival evidence that includes many documents annotated or endorsed in Henrys own hand. Focusing on a series of themesthe interaction between king and church the rise of the English language as a medium of government and politics the role of ceremony in Henrys kingship and moreVale revises understandings of Henry V and his conduct of the everyday affairs of England Normandy and the kingdom of France.