1415 Henry V's Year of Glory

"The fourth volume in Ian Mortimer's biographical history of medieval England, this book provides a close-up portrait of King Henry V during his annus mirabilis, 1415 the year he led an army to France and won the most famous battle of late medieval history. Each of the book's twelve chapters is devoted to one month in the king's life. The early chapters depict court life in all its colour and detail, and set the scene for the more dramatic developments in the latter part of the year, namely the Southampton Plot the attempt to kill Henry and put the Mortimers on the throne. They also allow for compelling digressions into Henry's spirituality, artistic patronage, and learning. The high-point of the book is of course the Battle of Agincourt, which is vividly and dramatically reconstructed, as are the ecstatic receptions the king received on his return to London at the end of the year."