The Warrior King and the Invasion of France: Henry V, Agincourt, and the Campaign That Shaped Medieval England - Softcover

Seward reminds us of a style that has been all but lost in this thundering account.--Philippa Gregory, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Gripping and enthralling. No writer of fiction, however imaginative, could dream up more spellbinding plots than what actually happened, so skillfully recounted here.--Robert Hutchinson, author of 'The Last Days of Henry VIII'

An entertaining and valuable exploration of the early Tudor period.

History as it should be written: without hindsight or embellishment, but with erudition and a sense of immediacy that makes it a gripping and original read--Jessie Childs, author of 'Henry VIII's Last Victim'

Seward shines a revealing light across the landscape of Tudor politics.

In the course of the Hundred Years War, Henry V was the English figure most responsible for the mutual antipathy that existed between France and England. His art of attacking an opponent by making total war on civilians, as well as soldiers, created tremendous distrust and enmity between the two countries, which survives even to this day. He was a man of many contradictions, a perverse mix of rigorous orthodoxy—exemplified by his fanatical and intolerant religion—and of neurotic insecurity, stemming in part from the dubious nature of his claim to the English throne.Utilizing new discoveries from local French historical societies, Desmond Seward draws a portrait of Henry V that shows him as a brilliant military strategist, ambitious conqueror, and, at least briefly, triumphant warrior king.