The Chorus introduces a play that celebrates the life of England's King Henry V, who soon after his accession to the throne seeks proof of his right to rule also over France. The Archbishop is explaining the law to the King and his court when an ambassador arrives from the French King's son, the Dauphin, with a taunting gift of tennis balls. Henry's response to the challenge is to set in motion his plan to invade France, and the scene moves to Southampton where the fleet prepares to sail. A plot involving three of the King's friends is uncovered and Henry condemns the conspirators, Cambridge, Scroop and Grey, to death. Pistol, Nym and Bardolph, Henry's former comrades in his youthful exploits in the London taverns (which Shakespeare presented in his 'Henry IV plays), decide to join the army. They set off for the war after Mistress Quickly has told of the death of their leader, Sir John Falstaff. All believe Falstaff has died of a broken heart following his rejection by the young king.

The French King receives Exeter as Henry's ambassador before the English lay seige to and take the town of Harfleur. Henry leaves an occupation force in Harfleur before moving on towards Calais. Meanwhile the French courtiers deride their invaders and the French Princess Katharine has an English lesson.

In the English camp Pistol ridicules the Welsh captain Fluellen before the French herald's embassy is rejected by Henry and the two armies prepare for battle near Agincourt. That night the King, in disguise, visits his soldiers and prays that his responsibility will be rewarded by victory. As dawn approaches, the French generals are confident of their superior forces. Henry encourages his troops to fight for success and scorns a further French envoy's invitation to surrender. The battle of Agincourt is fought and the generals, captains and common soldiers all play their part before the French army is defeated with heavy losses, compared with very few English dead. Thanking God for his victory Henry returns in triumph to London before making peace with the French King. Once Henry has wooed the Princess Katharine the treaty includes the linking of England and France through marriage. The play ends with the Choruses reminder that Henry's life was short before his infant son inherited two war-torn nations and France was lost once more.

An incomplete version of 'Henry V' was printed in 1600, but a full text did not appear until the ' First Folio' of 1623.

© Marian J. Pringle
Special Collections Librarian