I am delighted to share my review today of Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England’s Greatest Warrior King by Dan Jones.

This is an amazing book and it is the first time I have read any by this author. This is a standalone biography and a completion of Dan’s sequence of English medieval histories that began with The Plantagenets and The Hollow Crown, Henry V is a thrilling and unmissable life of England’s greatest king. I am now off back in time to get and read the previous two books.

My huge thanks to Jade at @HoZ_Books for accepting my request to read this book.

Henry V reigned over England for only nine years and four months, and died at the age of just 35, but he looms over the landscape of the late Middle Ages and beyond. The victor of Agincourt was remembered as the acme of kingship, a model to be closely imitated by his successors. William Shakespeare deployed Henry V as a study in youthful folly redirected to sober statesmanship. In the dark days of World War II, Henry’s victories in France were presented by British filmmakers as exemplars for a people existentially threatened by Nazism. Churchill called Henry ‘a gleam of splendour in the dark, troubled story of medieval England’, while for one modern medievalist, Henry was, quite simply, ‘the greatest man who ever ruled England’.

For Dan Jones, Henry is one of the most intriguing characters in all medieval history, but one of the hardest to pin down. He was a hardened, sometimes brutal, warrior, yet he was also creative and artistic, with a bookish temperament. He was a leader who made many mistakes, who misjudged his friends and family members, yet always seemed to triumph when it mattered. As king, he saved a shattered country from economic ruin, put down rebellions and secured England’s borders; in foreign diplomacy, he made England a serious player once more. Yet through his conquests in northern France, he sowed the seeds for three generations of calamity at home, in the form of the Wars of the Roses.

MY REVIEW

I admit I cannot remember anything about Henry V, he wasn’t covered in our history lessons at school. The focus then was on the Tudors rather than the earlier monarchs of English history. I know Henry V impressed Shakespeare enough to write a play in 1599. Of course, much of what is put into a work of fiction can be attributed to real events, but a lot is also artistic license.

The author is one I am aware of but I have not read any of his books, I have watched some of his history programs and enjoyed them. So, when I got to read this book I was delighted to find it was so addictive as the author reveals more of the life of this short-reigned King of England.

The author takes the reader through Henry’s short life. He was born on 16 September 1386 and died on 31 August 1422. His reign as King lasted from 1413 until his death. His reign was short but he did achieve a great deal and he definitely made an impression on the people of the time.

The author really does bring Henry to life, there are the obvious dates, people, politics, battles and power wrangling. But, there is also a genuine interest that shows through the facts. The author puts this historical figure in a light that makes this book such an addictive read.

Henry had an interesting upbringing, he survived an arrow wound to his face during a battle. He took part in battles against the Welsh, the Percy family of Northumberland and the Battle of Shrewsbury, he is now only 16 but has gained military experience that will give him the understanding he will require in later years.

Throughout the account of Henry, the author keeps up a fascinating look at what is going on around Henry and what is happening in the country. Henry does have siblings, and while he does get on with them, he does grow impatient to succeed his father Henry IV. This almost ends his chance to reign.

As Henry begins to take on more responsibility he is always learning, he is well-read and likes music. He is a thoughtful and controlled man but he does have his outbursts. There are differing views of Henry and the author does address these. Sometimes seen as a tyrant, bully and without remorse, history is perceived in different ways by different people. What the author does do though is show the achievements of the king, one who will stand amidst his men in battle, is respectful of all no matter their status and from what I draw, suffers no fools.

He is an amazing historical figure that I knew nothing about, but have now come away with a much better understanding. For a short reign, Henry V had definitely made his mark. For him to be referred to hundreds of years later by Churchill shows how much his legacy has remained.

If you are a fan of English, European or Medieval History then this is a book that will definitely be up your street. If you are just curious about historical figures then again, this is a fantastic book to read. A page-turner, well-researched and referenced, an absolute pleasure to read and one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx