Back from France and then, back to France!

After Agincourt, Henry sallied forth to Calais without fear of apprehension, and from there sailed to England.

 The conquering Hero, King Hal!

Henry V.

The king’s entry into London that November was a rapturous affair. The citizenry turned out in their thousands to welcome the conquering hero. As Henry rode through the streets, the Londoners shouted:

‘Hail to King Henry V of England ! To you, sovereign lord and your army! We all do hail!

The French thought that against you, they would surely win, only to miserably fail!’

Henry basked in the adulation of the populace. The victory at Agincourt conferred on him the ultimate legitimacy that he had always craved. His father’s right to rule had often been viewed in some quarters as illegitimate. Henry IV had deposed and murdered Richard II, and therefore many had refused to acknowledge him as the rightful king. The dark shadow of his father’s actions had served to cast a pall over Henry’s reign.

‘But after Agincourt, any hint of darkness hanging over Henry’s right

to reign over England grew into bright light!

Due to the great victory, England’s morale was now raised to an unprecedented height!’

The French, hellbent on revenge, blockaded Harfleur in the summer of 1416.

‘Their defeat at Agincourt had left the French feeling humiliated and dour!

They responded by attempting to recapture their port at Harfleur!’

King Henry sent his brother John, Duke of Bedford, to relieve Harfleur and in this endeavour he was successful.

John Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Bedford.

(Note the striking resemblance to his older brother, Henry)

Question: Which of the two brothers has the most handsome profile?

Henry and sea power.

Henry had a sound understanding of the importance of military mastery of the sea. The king initiated a policy of naval expansion. In this respect, he was a true disciple of King Alfred the Great of England, who had built a navy to combat his enemy the Vikings, in the ninth century.

A later depiction of Alfred the Great.

The navy was comprised of many different types of vessels including great warships weighing some thirty tons, and barges for transporting troops. Certainly, many a young fellow of a seafaring inclination found gainful employment in Henry’s new navy.

‘Oh for the salty sea air! The salty sea air! We are all in the navy now boys!

Welcome to life on the ocean wave and its many accompanying trials and joys!

Henry’s second crusade to gain the French throne.

In February 1417, Henry put his navy to good use by launching an invasion of France. He decided to conquer Normandy through a sequence of sieges. His first target was Caen, Normandy’s second largest town. Caen had been besieged and pillaged by Henry’s great-grandfather, Edward III in 1346.

Edward III attacking Caen in 1346.

However, the town had erected new and formidable defences and with plentiful supplies, so the garrison commander was confident about withstanding a siege. King Henry was equally sure that Caen would indeed fall. He might have remarked:

‘In the end, the town of Caen’s great defences will come to nought!

When attacked and battered by the force of my army’s terrible onslaught!’

Henry deployed his artillery skilfully and eventually English forces entered the town on September 4th, 1417. Nevertheless, they were met by fierce resistance from the French soldiers who fought the invaders every inch of the way. The French soldiers are sure to have said:

‘We will fight you in hand to hand combat, through our city of Caen, street by street!

Then, only time can tell which side can crow in victory, and  who will languish in defeat!’

The defenders were slowly beaten back and took refuge in the city’s castle. The French had hoped for a substantial army to come to their aid, but no such prospect was forthcoming. On September 20th, the castle surrendered  on very generous terms from King Henry. In quick succession, many of the towns of Normandy had opened their gates to Henry and acknowledged him as their overlord. Henry’s aim of becoming King of France was beginning to look more and more likely.