Background to the 1415 invasion of France (preparations for war)

When did The Hundred Year’s War begin?

1337

What happened during Henry IV’s reign to French territory?

Financial difficulties and the threat from the Welsh and Scottish combined with Henry IV’s poor health after 1406 meant that focus on France was relatively muted and the English lost control of some important French Territories.

What was Henry V keen to do?

Henry V wanted to regain the losses of French territory.

What diplomatic move a Road did Henry V make early in his reign?

He sent ambassadors to the French king claiming all territories that were historically regarded as English, or that had been handed over in the 1360 Treaty of Brétigny.

Who did Henry V try to arrange a marriage with? How did the French respond?

Catherine of Valois, the youngest daughter of the king of France.

These demands were rejected by the French and French ambassadors sent a box of tennis balls to the royal court on the grounds that because of his youth the king needed toys to play with.

What diplomatic approach did Henry V take with the Welsh?

He adopted a conciliatory attitude by investigating complaints of oppression by royal officials there and issuing pardons to some former rebels. This was in order to make attacks on the Welsh border less likely in his absence.

How did Henry secure his position at home?

He took measures to rehabilitate the Percy family.

He organised for Hotspur’s heir, who was living in honourable captivity in Scotland, to return to England and be permitted to inherit his family’s substantial estates and his grandfather’s title of earl of Northumberland.

This provided greater security in the northern areas for England.

How did Henry deal with the Scottish King?

He held King James I of Scotland prisoner as he had been captured in 1406 by the English. This reduced incursions on the northern border and was important as France was an ally of Scotland.

What truce did Henry negotiate in January 1414?

He agreed to a ten-year truce with the duke of Brittany.

Henry could now exploit this truce in order to isolate France and to help prevent Bretons coming to the aid of the French king when he led an invasion there the following year.

When did Henry prepare an invasion force for France?

1414-15.

What problem with the French king spurred Henry’s decision to invade France?

Charles VI suffered from an ongoing mental health problem that cause periods of complete incapacitation which caused significant political divisions in the government from the royal princes that ruled in his place.