Henry V Show Synopsis
HENRY V is set in England in the years 1413-1420. The political situation in England is tense: Several bitter civil wars have left the people of England restless and dissatisfied, and to gain the respect of the English people and the court, Henry must live down his wild adolescent past.
Henry lays claim to certain parts of France, based on his distant roots in the French royal family and on a very technical interpretation of ancient land laws. When the young prince, or Dauphin, of France sends Henry an insulting message in response to these claims, Henry decides to invade France. Supported by the English noblemen and clergy, Henry gathers his troops for war.
Henry’s decision to invade France trickles down to affect the common people he rules. In the Boar’s Head Tavern in Eastcheap, some of the king’s former friends—Pistol, Nim and Bardolph, whom he rejected when he rose to the throne—prepare to leave their homes and families. As they prepare for the war, they remark on the death of Falstaff, the elderly knight who was once King Henry’s closest friend.
The English sail for France, where they fight their way across the country. Against incredible odds, they continue to win after conquering the town of Harfleur, where Henry gives an impassioned speech to motivate his soldiers to victory. As the English advance, Nim and Bardolph are caught looting and are hanged at King Henry’s command.
The climax of the war comes at the famous Battle of Agincourt, at which the English are outnumbered by the French five to one. The night before the battle, King Henry disguises himself as a common soldier and talks to many of the soldiers in his camp, learning who they are and what they think of the great battle in which they have been swept up. When he is by himself, he laments his ever-present responsibilities as king.
The battle is fought the following morning, St. Crispin’s Day and the result is extraordinary. . .