Henry V
(William Shakespeare)

Act One

Act One - Prologue

In an introduction, a Chorus enters and wishes that they had access to a better imagination, and a stage as large as the world so that actual monarchy could play the parts of Kings and Queens. Monarchy would also attend the performance, while King Harry took on the part of Mars, the god of War. As this is not possible, the audience must forgive them for presenting a terrific story in such a poor way. They ask the audience to pretend for a moment that two prominent kingdoms sit in the theatre, separated by an ocean. If the audience can split each man they see into a thousand, then they will see a kingdom on the stage. They can also imagine horses, when they are spoken of, on the stage printing their hooves in earth. The Chorus concludes that they hope the audience will be patient while watching the play and to judge it kindly while they do. The Chorus leaves.

Act One - Scene One

In the Royal Court in London, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely enter. Canterbury tells Ely he is sure that the bill being proposed is exactly the same one that was proposed in the 11th year of the last King's reign. No one had thought it would pass then, and it probably would have if the time had not been so chaotic and pushed all thoughts of the bill out of their heads. Ely wonders how they will keep the bill from being passed this time. Canterbury is not sure. What he is sure of is that if the bill passes, the Church will lose over half of what it possesses. It would strip them of real estate and possessions left by wealthy men to the Church. These estates are of enough value to support fifteen earls, fifteen hundred knights, 6200 squires, and one hundred almshouses for the relief of those too sick or old to work. They don't know how to prevent the bill, but they start to discuss the good King who is a true lover of the holy Church. Canterbury is surprised that the King loves the Church so much as it was not clear from the way he acted as a younger man that this would be so. As soon as his father died, however, his wildness also died, and he became a series and studious man. Canterbury thinks that no matter what the King talks about—be it religious studies, diplomacy, war or politics—he sounds like an expert. And when he talks all of the men stand listening, hoping to benefit from the King's words. Canterbury isn't sure how the King managed it considering he spent his youth with his uneducated and rude companions who were constantly drunk, overfed and only seeking entertainment without a moment for studying. Ely concludes that he hid his serious nature behind a disguise of wildness. It was able to grow quicker without being detected. Ely wonders if the King favours the bill or not. Canterbury believes the King to have a neutral stance on the topic. He appears to be leaning more towards their side than the opposing side, especially after Canterbury had made the King an offer of a larger sum than has ever been provided by the Church. There was not enough time, however, to tell the King about his rightful entitlement to dukedoms in France and to the throne of France through the line of his great-grandfather, Edward III. The French Ambassador had turned up before Canterbury could tell the King, and they are about to meet right then. He asks Ely what the time is. It is four o'clock. Canterbury suggests they go into the meeting to hear what the French Ambassador has to say, although Canterbury is sure he will know the answer before the Frenchman even opens his mouth. They leave.

Act One - Scene Two

King Henry, Gloucester, Bedford, Exeter, Warwick and Westmoreland enter, followed by attending Servants. King Henry asks where Canterbury is. He asks his Uncle, Exeter, to send for him. King Henry does not want to talk to the Ambassador until he has spoken to Canterbury about France. Canterbury and Ely enter. After Canterbury blesses him, the King asks what the religious and legal grounds are for taking the French throne and what could possibly block him from taking it. He asks Canterbury to avoid twisting the truth or interpreting the truth by arguing falsely. Too many men will shed blood supporting the King in what the Archbishop will persuade him to do, so Canterbury must speak plainly and truthfully. Canterbury tells the King that there are no legal obstacles blocking him from the French throne but one: the law is that no woman shall inherit in the Salic Land. The French interpret the Salic land to mean France, but it is actually in reference to Germany instead. The titles in France are all derived from female roles and positions of ownership, despite the fact that they use this same law to stop King Henry from inheriting the French throne through the female line. They would rather keep the crown away from him than reveal how corrupt their own claims to the crown are. Canterbury assures the King that if he is wrong, then the blame is all his. It is written in the Book of Numbers that when a man dies, the inheritance shall go to the daughter. He implores the King to use his ancestors and to invoke Edward the Black Prince's spirit; he fought a tragic battle on French soil, taking on the entire French army with only half of their forces. Ely echoes this urging: he would like the King to sit on their throne, too.

Exeter and Westmoreland encourage the King: other Kings would expect Henry to take the offensive, and that he has full rights to do so. An army of their people will follow the King anywhere. King Henry believes they also need to protect themselves against the Scottish, who might see the marching of their armies to France as a perfect chance to attack. Canterbury assures him that his followers in the North will protect England against any Scottish thieves coming across the border. King Henry doesn't refer to thieves—he is worried about an invasion! In history, his great-grandfather was always attacked by Scotland when he went to war with France. England was unprotected, and many castles and towns were under siege. Canterbury assures him that England was only frightened by the attacks, not hurt. England has always managed to defend itself and pin down Scotland's King like a stray dog. Ely counters this with a saying that if they want to win France, they have to start with Scotland—Scotland will always attack when England are away in France. Exeter refuses to admit the truth of this saying—they can hold their own against the French in England with the combined wisdom of the people.

Canterbury likens the running of a kingdom to the communal workforce of the bee. Each bee has a separate function, just like in a kingdom, and each works toward a single goal with different methods. He urges Henry to split England's army into four and leave three quarters of it at home. If they can't defeat France with a quarter of their soldiers, then they do not deserve to win.

King Henry calls for the French Ambassadors to be sent in. Some attending Servants leave to do just that. Henry has made up his mind—he'll either tear France into pieces, or he will take it for his own. He will sit on the French throne with ultimate authority, or he will die, be buried in a common grave and be ignored in history.

The French Ambassadors enter. The First Ambassador asks for permission to provide the entire message from the King. If not, he wonders if he should just hint at what the French King has sent them to say. King Henry is not a tyrant, but a Christian King, and can keep his emotions under control. He orders the message to be given frankly. The Ambassador reminds King Henry that he sent a message to the French King recently regarding his claim that certain dukedoms belonged to England, tracing King Edward III's ancestral line. The French King has accused Henry of being immature and reminds him that there is little that cannot be won in France by dancing, but he cannot dance into France's dukedoms. He has sent a case of treasure as a gift best suited for the King and asks him to drop his claim to the dukedoms. The treasure is a case of tennis balls. King Henry compliments the French King's sense of humour. Once he has found a racket to play with the balls, he will knock the French crown out of the court. He understands the reference to his past, but the French King has not realized how serious these days were to him: he had not realized the value of the English throne, and now he does. His days acting like a commoner have given him the ability to appear all the more glorious and dazzling, which he will be on the French throne. He will turn the tennis balls into cannons, and the damage done to France will be the French King's responsibility. He tells the Ambassadors to let the French King know that he will be on his way to avenge England's claim to the throne. The Ambassadors leave.

King Henry orders his men not to ignore any opportunities that might come their way to help them take the French throne. They will gather the correct number of soldiers and figure out what else they will need to take with them to speed up the process. Trumpets sound, and the group leaves.

Act Two

Act Two - Prologue

A Chorus enters and tells the audience that all the young men of England are thinking of war. They are buying armour, selling their land to buy warhorses and have stored all their finer clothing in their closets. Anticipation is in the air! The French, who have been warned of an imminent attack by their spies, tremble with fear. They aim to divert English purposes. If all of England's subjects were loyal and loving, then there would be nothing the country couldn't do. However, France has detected a weak spot: a traitor in three men: Richard, Earl of Cambridge, Henry, Lord Scroop of Masham, and Sir Thomas Grey, Knight of Northumberland. They have all agreed to work with the French in exchange for money. The King will be killed by these three before he sets sail for France if they have their way. The Chorus asks the audience to imagine that the traitors have already been paid and have made their decision. The King has left London and now the action moves to Southampton. This is where they must imagine the stage is located. From there, they will be carried to France. They will not change the location to Southampton until the King appears on stage again. The Chorus leaves.

Act Two - Scene One

In London, Corporal Nym and Lieutenant Bardolph enter. They greet each other. Bardolph asks if Nym and Ensign Pistol are friends again yet. Nym tells Bardolph that he won't fight, but will close his eyes and hold out his sword. It's a simple sword, but it does the job. Bardolph hopes they will be able to go to war as friends—all three of them. Nym isn't sure what will happen. Bardolph admits it's true that Pistol's wife Nell Quickly did him wrong, especially as she and Nym were engaged. Nym refuses to make a concrete statement about that as well—he believes that whatever will be, will be, and that's that.

Pistol and the Hostess/Nell enter. Bardolph tells Nym to tread carefully, and then welcomes Pistol as his host. Pistol doesn't know why they call him Host—he and Nell are not going to be taking on lodgers. Nell agrees—they couldn't even let a dozen or so gentlewomen who sew for a living live with them because others would think they were running a brothel. Nym and Pistol draw their swords. Nell asks them not to fight. Nym and Pistol insult one another—they continue until Bardolph tells them to listen to him. Whoever strikes their sword first will be killed by Bardolph. He draws his sword. Pistol admits that their anger must leave, then. They both put away their swords. Nym vows to cut his throat eventually. That's just how it must be. Pistol is amazed that Nym thinks he can take his wife so easily from him. He tells Nym to get to a hospital for venereal diseases and get himself a diseased prostitute to marry.

A Boy enters and asks Pistol to come and see to his master, who is sick. Bardolph tells him to leave. Nell and the Boy leave to see to the man. Bardolph wonders if he can force the two men to make up and be friends—he doesn't even understand why they can't be friends. Nym wonders if Pistol will pay him the eight shillings he won in a bet or not. Pistol thinks paying debts are for peasants. Nym vows to take it from him now. They both draw their swords again. Bardolph reiterates his vow to kill the first one who strikes. Pistol reminds him that oaths must be kept. Bardolph will see Nym as his enemy as well if he does not put his sword away. Pistol assures Nym he will be provided his money as he will be selling things to the soldiers and will profit in it. Nell enters—the man is feverish. She wants the men to come and see. They all blame his condition on the King. They will go and sit with the feverish knight. They leave.

Act Two - Scene Two

In Southampton, Exeter, Bedford and Westmoreland enter. Bedford thinks the King is making a risk by letting the traitors go free. Exeter thinks they'll just be arrested again down the road. Westmoreland is amazed at how calm the traitors are, but Bedford reminds them that the King knows about the plans, but the traitors do not know that he knows. Exeter is sad that one of the King's dearest friends would sell his King's life off for money from France.

Trumpets sound and King Henry, Scroop, Cambridge, Grey and attending Servants enter. The King thinks the wind is favourable enough for them to leave, so they will board the ship. He asks Cambridge and Scroop if they think their armies will cut through the French army and achieve everything they are setting out to do. Scroop thinks as along as every man does his best, then there will be no doubt of their victory. The King doesn't doubt the passion his people have. Even those who are left behind wish them every success. Even the King's father's enemies have transformed and are now loyal to the King. Scroop adds that his subjects serve him with hope that they will be rewarded. King Henry orders Exeter to release the man who was arrested the previous day for protesting against the King. He believes the man was only drunk. Now he's had the time to think about what he's done, the King can release him. Scroop thinks that the man should be punished, or other people will think the King is encouraging this kind of behaviour. The King doesn't care. Cambridge and Grey suggest that they could release the man after a punishing beating and still let him live. King Henry thinks their love for the King is blinding them—if everyone's minor discretions while drunk would be punished, how would they punish crimes that were well though out and planned? The King asks who the late commissioners to France are. Cambridge, Scroop and Grey are. King Henry hands them a piece of paper each and tells them to read it. They will set sail that night. The King notices the three men are looking pale and wonders what the paper says to make them look so faint. Cambridge confesses his crime and begs for mercy. Grey and Scroop also beg mercy. King Henry points out their earlier argument about merciful action has destroyed his own mercy for them. He asks everyone there to look on these three men. Cambridge was bought with French coin and entered into a plot with the French to kill him in Southampton. The Knight entered the plot, too. Lord Scroop is the most inhuman and savage of the three—he had access to the King's thoughts and could have had anything if he had only asked. While treason and murder always go together, Lord Scroop has added a third element—the improbability that he would be involved. Whoever tempted him must win an award in excellence from Hell itself. They have poisoned King Henry's faith in his people, and now he is suspicious of everyone. These three men were knowledgeable, came from good families, are religions, lived in moderation and still stooped to enter into a treacherous plot against their King. They will be arrested and punished according to law. God is the only one who can pardon them for what they have done.

Exeter arrests all three of them for high treason. Scroop regrets his crime. Even if he is killed, he still wants the King's forgiveness. Cambridge didn't do it for the money, but it did encourage him a little bit. He is thankful that he has failed. He, too, asks for the King's forgiveness and will pay the price. Grey is joyful that the King has discovered their treason. King Henry forgives them all in the name of God. Their sentence is for them to be put to death so that the kingdom remains safe. Cambridge, Scroop and Grey leave under guard.

King Henry will now go to France. He has no doubts that this war will be a successful one as God had already exposed the plot against his life. He is sure that every danger in their path has been removed now. They will find strength in God. King Henry will not be King of England if he is not also the King of France. They all leave.

Act Two - Scene Three

Back in London, Pistol, Nell, Nym, Bardolph and the Boy enter. Nell asks Pistol to let her come with him as far as Staines. Pistol does not want her to come because he is still grieving over the death of their friend, Falstaff. Bardolph wishes he was Falstaff, no matter if he is in Heaven or Hell. Nell is certain Falstaff is in Heaven as he died peacefully. Just before he went, he spoke about green fields. Falstaff asked her to put more blankets onto his feet. She put her hand into the bed, felt his feet, and they were cold. His entire body was cold. Bardolph heard he cried out against women. Nell denies this, but the Boy heard him compare women to devils. Nym wants to get moving as the King will already have left Southampton. Pistol asks for a kiss from his wife and tells her to look after their possessions and trust no one. Oaths are broken easily, so caution should be her guide. Bardolph also kisses Nell goodbye, but Nym cannot. Pistol tells her to keep herself hidden. They say goodbye, and then they all leave.

Act Two - Scene Four

At the French royal court in Northern France, the King of France, the Dauphin, the Dukes of Berri and Brittany, a Constable and others enter. The French King believes they should react to the English threat royally rather than carefully. He orders the Dukes of Berri, Betagne, Brabant, and Orleans to march ahead and for the Dauphin to fortify towns with courageous men so that they can defend themselves. They should be afraid of the English who have tested them recently and proven the French underestimate their enemies. The Dauphin thinks that it is important to always be ready with defences and trained men so that they are always ready for a war. They should inspect the weaker territories of France, but not to do it with fear because he thinks the English King is nonthreatening and immature. The Constable doesn't think the Dauphin knows too much about King Henry if that's how he feels. He asks the Dauphin to talk to the Ambassadors who recently returned from England. They can tell him how he answered with grace and modesty in expressing his displeasure. He was also firm in his resolution to take the French throne. The Dauphin argues back, but even if he thought the Constable was right, it doesn't actually matter to him. When it comes to defending themselves, they should always imagine the enemy is more powerful and mighty than he might seem so that they are well defended. The French King thinks that King Henry is strong—they are to meet him with strength when they do battle with him. He recalls the imprisonment of all of their princes by the Prince of Wales, known as Edward the Black Prince, while his father stood on the mountain and watched his heroic son destroy so many French youths. They should be wary of King Henry as he is a relative of Edward's.

A Messenger arrives with Ambassadors from England. They are sent for immediately. The Messenger leaves to fetch them. The Dauphin believes that this will stop the chase. He asks the King to surprise the English by showing them how large a kingdom he rules over, and how incredible he is. Exeter arrives with others. Exeter relays Henry's message: in the name of God, he commands the French King to give up his stolen titles. He has sent his family tree to show that every line in his family supports the claim for the French throne. The most famous, Edward III, should more than prove this. The French King wonders what will happen if he does not obey. Bloodshed will force the French King to obey, so no matter how hard he hides, Henry will still find him and the crown. He asks him to take pity on the innocent people who will lose their lives because of this war: widows, orphans, soldiers, girls who mourn for their husbands, fathers and promised men. Exeter also has a message for the Dauphin, if he is present.

The King of France will think about the message and will return their reply the next day. The Dauphin asks for his message. Exeter gives it: Henry wishes every insult on the Dauphin. If the French King does not sweeten the insults he sent to Henry, then his answer will be provided in his attacks. The Dauphin replies that if his father sends a friendlier answer then it is without his blessing. He wants to battle with England, which is why he sent the tennis balls to match King Henry's youth and vanity. Exeter warns him that he will soon find, as they all have, the difference between Henry as a youth and Henry as a King. The French King echoes that he will provide his answer for the English King tomorrow. Exeter warns him not to take too long unless he wants Henry to come looking for him to see what's wrong. A trumpet sounds and they all leave.

Act Three

Act Three - Prologue

The Chorus enters and asks the audience to imagine they have already seen the King depart from Hampton pier. They are to picture the scene: the cabin boys climbing the rigging, the whistle that brings them to order, the sails that are full of wind. The entire fleet, they say, is protected in thoughts by all—even babies and old women. The audience are then urged to imagine a siege with cannons trained on the walls of Harfleur city, and the French Ambassador returning to inform Henry that the King offers him his daughter, Katherine, with some insignificant and unprofitable dukedoms as her dowry. This offer is not well received, and now the battle begins.

The sounds of a battle can be heard from offstage. The Chorus tells the audience that everything before the guns falls. The audience are asked, once again, for their kindness while they continue watching. The Chorus leaves.

Act Three - Scene One

In Harfleur, King Henry, Exeter, Bedford, Gloucester and other soldiers enter to the sounds of battles. The soldiers carry ladders to scale the walls. King Henry orders them to attack the hole in the wall once more or close it up with English corpses. In peace, restraint and humility are celebrated, but in war, the people must act like tigers and hide their civility. They are to make themselves look terrifying! King Henry orders the men to not dishonour their parents or the land they grew up on and prove that they are worthy of England. They all leave to the sounds of battles going on offstage.

Act Three - Scene Two

Also in Harfleur, Nym, Bardolph, Pistol and the Boy enter. Bardolph cries they should go to the breach in the wall, but Nym asks him to stop as the fighting is much too violent. He only has one life, not dozens to waste! Pistol sings about receiving fame for being part of a great battle. The Boy wishes he was safe in an alehouse in London somewhere. He would give all of his fame for his safety. Fluellen enters and tells them all to get a move on to the breach. Pistol asks the Duke to be merciful and to calm his rage. Nym thinks Pistol talks in a healthy way. Everyone but the Boy leaves. The Boy knows that he might be young, but he has been observing the three men he is with closely. He is a servant and a “man” because of it to all three of them, but none of them would ever be a man to him. They are fake to him. Bardolph talks of killing but is a coward. Pistol has a sharp tongue, but cannot fight, and Nym refuses to pray unless he be thought a coward. The three men steal things from others and call them the spoils of war, even though none of them have killed anyone. The Boy decides he must leave the group and find better employment as their villainy goes against his weak stomach. He leaves.

Gower and Fluellen enter. Gower asks Fluellen to come to the mines as the Duke of Gloucester wants to talk to him. Fluellen does not want to go to the tunnels as they are not deep enough. The enemy have dug their own tunnels four yards below their own, and he believes they will blow everything up if there are not better orders. The Duke of Gloucester, who controls the siege, is in talks with an Irishman, who is a valiant gentleman. Fluellen wonders if it is Captain MacMorris. Gower thinks so. Fluellen thinks he is an ass and will tell him as much to his face. Captain MacMorris enters with Captain Jamy, the Scottish Captain. Fluellen compliments Jamy on his knowledge of warfare practices. They all welcome one another. Gower asks MacMorris if the mines have been abandoned. MacMorris admits that the work in the mines has stopped, and a retreat has been sounded. It is a disaster.

Fluellen asks MacMorris if they could discuss the practice and disciplines of war, particularly the Roman wars, to touch on the direction of military discipline and ease his mind. While Jamy is more than willing, MacMorris is amazed. This is no time for a chat! Between the hot weather and the war, they can't just sit down to talk. They are called by trumpet to the gap in the wall, and they are still standing there. It's disgraceful when there is so much to do still. Jamy swears before he goes to sleep, he will put some good fighting in. He will fight as well as he can, but he would love to hear the two discuss warfare. Fluellen asks MacMorris if there are many of his nationality. He calls his nation a villain and a coward and wonders who talks about his nation. Fluellen didn't mean anything by what he said, and asks him to see Fluellen as good as he thinks himself, both in the practice of war, in the location of his birth, and so on. MacMorris does not know if Fluellen is as good a man as he is, and will cut off his head. Gower tells them to calm down—they're both misunderstanding one another.

A trumpet sounds to call for a ceasefire. Gower notes that the town is calling for a pause in the fighting. They want to negotiate. Fluellen vows to show MacMorris what he knows about warfare when they have a chance. They all leave.

Act Three - Scene Three

Outside Harfleur, the Governor and some citizens appear on the walls. King Henry and his train enter before the gates. Henry asks if the Governor has decided what the town will do. They will either submit themselves to his mercy, or challenge him to do his worst. When he begins to attack Harfleur again, he will not leave the town until it is buried beneath its own ashes. There will be no mercy then, and their soldiers will kill everyone, including babies. It will not matter much to Henry as they will have brought this on themselves. They have asked for it. They would do better asking the whales to come to the shore than to ask his soldiers to stop their killing and ravaging of the town. He asks again if they will surrender or be accountable for the destruction of their own town. The Governor replies that their hopes have come to an end this day. They had asked the Dauphin for help, but he replied that he did not have the ability to raise an army just yet. They will surrender to King Henry and ask for his mercy. He can enter their gates and do whatever he wants with them and their possessions as they cannot defend themselves anymore. King Henry orders the gates open, and the Governor leaves to do so.

King Henry asks Exeter to enter Harfleur and fortify it against the French armies. He wants his Uncle to be merciful to the people on his behalf. In the meantime, with Winter coming and sickness developing among their soldiers, they will withdraw to Calais. They will stay in Harfleur that night, and then march on tomorrow. Everyone enters the town.

Act Three - Scene Four

In the royal court in Northern France, Katherine and Alice enter. They speak in French for the entire scene. Katherine asks Alice to teach her some English as she has been to England. She asks what the word for hand is. Alice replies with: “de hand”. Katherine asks about fingers, which Alice calls “de fingres”. Katherine is pleased she is learning so much English so quickly! Katherine repeats the words and asks Alice if she is speaking them correctly. Alice assures her she has excellent English. They continue on with other parts of the body, with Alice getting most of them humorously incorrect. Alice assures Katherine that she speaks just like a native English speaker, but wonders if Katherine remembers everything she was just taught. Katherine can, but she thinks they are quite vulgar words to speak for a lady. Nonetheless, she will continue to work at her English. They leave to go and eat.

Act Three - Scene Five

At the River Somme, the King of France, the Dauphin, the Duke of Bourbon and the Constable of France enter. The French King is certain that Henry has crossed the Somme. The Constable thinks they should just abandon everything if the English will continue to march towards them unopposed. The Dauphin likens Henry to an offshoot grafted from wild and savage trees. He wonders if Henry will grow so tall and look with contempt on the same people he is related to. Bourbon will sell his Dukedom for a dirty farm in Albion if the English march unchallenged. The Constable wonders where they get their passion and mettle from? He goes on to wonder if the sun doesn't shine so lightly on them, and if the water and beer they drink can heat their blood, and why their own blood remains so cold. He concludes that even though their fields are rich, they are poorly ruled over. The Dauphin adds that their own wives mock them. They believe the French are so beaten down that they prepare to give their bodies to the English youth and to resupply France with warriors, even if they are born out of marriage. Bourbon adds that his wife has told him that he'd be better off learning dances in England because there is only talent in their heels which take them far away from the fighting.

The French King wonders where Montjoy, the herald, is. He would like Montjoy to greet the King of England with defiance. He tells the French Princes, Dukes, Barons, Lords and Knights to rid themselves of their shame. They must stop King Henry from sweeping through France with blood-drenched banners. He wants Henry brought to Rouen as their prisoner. The Constable applauds this mission. He is sorry that King Henry's numbers are so few and that these men are sick and starving on their march. When the English see their army, they will be so sorrowful they will offer a significant sum of money to avoid being in a battle. The King of France orders them to hurry to see what Henry might pay to get out of the war. He wants the Dauphin to stay with him in Rouen. The Dauphin begs the King to let him go. The French King tells him to be patient. He orders the Constable and the Princes away so they can bring word of England's defeat even quicker. They all leave.

Act Three - Scene Six

In the English camp in France, Gower and Fluellen enter from the opposite sides of the stage. Gower asks if Fluellen has come from the bridge. Fluellen has and assures Gower there are some excellent military operations taking place there. Gower wonders if the Duke of Exeter is safe. Fluellen compares Exeter to Agamemnon—both courageous. Exeter is a man Fluellen loves and honours with everything he has. Exeter is not hurt and keeps the bridge under their command valiantly. While there, he saw a Lieutenant who fought as bravely as Mark Antony, but is of a rank of no consequence. Gower asks for his name. Fluellen reveals he is called Ensign Pistol.

Pistol enters. Fluellen tells Gower this is the man he was speaking of. He asks Fluellen for a favour as he seems to be in good terms with the Duke of Exeter. Fluellen admits that he has some of the Duke's love. Pistol reveals that Bardolph, a loyal and stout man, has fallen victim to Fortune's spinning wheel. Fluellen stops him there: Fortune is depicted as blind, with a scarf over her eyes, and is painted with a wheel to indicate Fortune is inconstant and ever changing. Pistol continues: fortune is Bardolph's enemy because he has stolen a pax from Church and now he must be hanged. He does not think men should be hung and killed like dogs. Men should be allowed to go free. Exeter has pronounced this death sentence. He begs Fluellen to go and speak on Bardolph's behalf to the Duke. Pistol will repay him for his services. Fluellen understands Pistol but will not go to the Duke. Even if the man to be hung was his own brother, he would still want the sentence to be carried out because discipline must be kept. Pistol damns him and their friendship and storms out.

Gower remembers Pistol now—he is a pickpocket and a fraudster. Fluellen assures Gower he spoke excellently at the bridge. He assures Gower that when the time comes, but Gower interrupts him, calling Pistol a fool. He's a man who has joined the army so he can seem better when he returns to London. These people have memorized names of famous soldiers and commanders and can tell people about battles, not through experience but by memorizing. He must learn to recognize these liars, or they will take advantage of him. Fluellen suddenly thinks that Pistol is not the man he has thought he was, and vows to give him a piece of his mind.

King Henry, Gloucester and Soldiers enter. The King asks Fluellen if he just came from the bridge. Fluellen reports that Exeter has held the bridge gallantly and that the French have retreated. The enemy almost took the bridge, but they were forced to retreat. King Henry asks what men Fluellen has lost in the battle. The enemy's losses have been pretty high and substantial, but he doesn't think Exeter has lost a single man, aside from Bardolph who will be executed for stealing from a church. Fluellen doesn't know if the King knows this man, but describes him as being covered with marks and inflammation. King Henry would like all offenders to be punished in this way. In their progress and marching through France, the men are to be told that nothing in the villages should be seized unless it is paid for, and none of the French people are to be abused or talked to in disdainful language. When mercy and cruelty compete for a kingdom, mercy and gentleness are always bound to win.

A trumpet plays and Montjoy enters. He knows that Henry can tell by his clothing who he is. King Henry asks what he has to deliver from the French King. Montjoy tells him the French King is determined to win. Henry may have thought France was dead, but they were only asleep for a while, and strategy makes for a better soldier than haste does. They could have driven the soldiers back at Harfleur but thought it was not good to fight until they were fully ready to do so. Henry should regret his foolishness soon enough while the French discover their weaknesses. Montjoy tells them to consider how much they would pay to escape war. It must take into account the losses France has suffered. Nothing he offers can be significant enough to pay for all of these losses, and so Henry has betrayed the people who follows him as they have all been sentenced to death. King Henry compliments Montjoy on delivering the message well. He is to send a message back: Henry does not seek out the French King yet but would be willing to march onto Calais without interference. He is to report that his men are considerably weakened by illness, and they cannot stand up against the French anymore. Henry orders Montjoy to tell the French King where he is, and that his ransom will be his own fragile, worthless body and his weak army as the escort. They will advance to Calais, however, no matter who stands in their way. He hands Montjoy some money for his trouble. They do not seek a battle as they are so weak, but they will not avoid one if confronted by it. Montjoy vows to deliver the message and then leaves. Gloucester admits he hopes they won't attack them. Henry believes they are in God's hands. They are to march to the bridge as night is approaching. They'll set up a camp across the river, and then tomorrow they will continue to march. They leave for the bridge.

Act Three - Scene Seven

At the French camp near Agincourt, the Constable of France, Lord Rambures, Orleans and the Dauphin enter, with others following. The Constable argues that he has the best armour in the world and that he wishes it was day already. Orleans admits the Constable does have fine armour, but the Constable must admit his horse's good qualities. The Constable calls his horse the best in Europe. The Dauphin asks if they are talking about horses and armour. Orleans thinks the Dauphin has the best of both. The Dauphin would not trade his horse for any other. He can almost fly, like Pegasus. When he sits on the horse, the Dauphin soars through the air like a hawk. Even the earth sings when he touches it. The Dauphin continues on in his compliments for the horse until Orleans begs him to stop. Orleans believes he has even heard sonnets that have started the way the Dauphin speaks, and likens his horse to a mistress. The Dauphin does not appear to get it, and Orleans continues on, suggesting that his “mistress” gave the Dauphin a bumpy ride. The Dauphin would rather have a horse than a mistress, but the Constable thinks the opposite. At least, the Dauphin adds, his mistress has his own hair. The Constable argues that he could say the same about a pig who has its own hair.

Rambures changes the subject and asks the Constable if he saw stars or suns on his armour. The Constable has stars on his armour. Dauphin hopes some of them will fall off tomorrow, but even if he does he will still have too many. They start to wish for day again—the Dauphin will leave the road paved with English faces tomorrow. Rambures suggests a bet: he bets they will take twenty prisoners. The Constable points out that he will have to take some chances if he is going to take them. As it is midnight, the Dauphin leaves to go and put his armour on.

They discuss the Dauphin's reputation as an active gentleman until a Messenger arrives with news that the English are within fifteen hundred paces of their tents. The Constable almost feels sorry for Henry—he doubts if Henry is looking forward to dawn as much as they are. Orleans thinks Henry is a bit of a wretched man for having stupid men for followers. If they knew what was happening, they would run away. Orleans continues on: he doesn't think the English could wear such heavy helmets if there was actually anything in their heads. Rambures thinks that the English breed valiant animals, particularly their dogs who have unmatched courage. Orleans thinks they are foolish dogs for running so blinded. The Constable compares the English face to that of a dog. Finally, it is time for them to put their armour on so that they can go and fight the English. Orleans estimates that by ten they will have captured a hundred Englishmen. They all leave.

Act Four

Act Four - Prologue

The Chorus enters and asks the audience to imagine the darkness that fills the universe. The noise of both armies grows so quiet that those standing sentinel can imagine they can hear the whispers of the other army's men. Fires are lit on both sides, and through the flames each army sees the others' faces. The horses on both sides answer one another with threatening and boastful neighs, and in the tents, the sound of hammers closing rivets on armour adds an extra note of preparation. The crows cry out and the clocks toll three in the morning. The overeager and confident French bet to one another how many prisoners they will take. The poor Englishmen sit like sacrificial lambs and patiently wait for the morning to come. They almost seem like horrifying ghosts under the moon. The Captain of the army walks from camp to camp and tent to tent and visits all of the troops, wishing them a good morning. He refuses to reveal how he truly feels and appears fresh and well rested to everyone who sees him. It gives the men comfort. They will now rush toward the battle which will disgrace the name of Agincourt. The Chorus asks them to sit and see what will happen, and then leaves.

Act Four - Scene One

At the English camp near Agincourt, King Henry enters with Bedford and Gloucester. Henry admits that they are in danger, but their courage should be even greater because of that. There must be some good in evil if only men would care to look for it. In this case, their bad neighbours, the French, have made their get up early, which is good for your health. The French also act as a conscience because they know they could die today and so they can prepare themselves for that death. Erpingham enters. Henry greets him. They talk about the uncomfortable living conditions and how it provides a good example for the other men for how to take pleasure in their discomfort. Henry asks them to give his compliments to the other princes in the camp and ask them to come to his tent. He takes Erpingham's cloak. Gloucester will do so. Erpingham wonders if he should stay with the King, but he would like to be alone with his thoughts for a little while. Erpingham blesses the King and then everyone but Henry leaves.

Pistol enters and asks in French who stands there. King Henry reveals himself as a friend. Pistol orders him to reveal who he is—an officer or a common person? Henry tells him he is a gentleman of a company and carries a pike. Pistol tells the King he is as good a gentleman as the emperor. Henry concludes the he must be a better man than the King, then. Pistol admits the King is a fine man with a heart of gold. He kisses the King's dirty shoe and loves him from the bottom of his heart. Pistol asks for Henry's name. Henry gives Harry le Roy as his name. Pistol wonders if Harry knows Fluellen. He does. Pistol gives him a message: he'll slap him on Saint Davy's Day. Henry tells him to be careful not to carry a dagger in his hat that day or he might be slapped with it. Pistol wonders if he is Fluellen's friend. Henry admits he is a relative, as well. Pistol insults him, tells him his name and then leaves. Henry blesses him before he goes.

Gower and Fluellen enter. Fluellen tells Gower to keep his voice down. It amazes him that people ignore the correct way of going about war. If Gower had taken the trouble to study the wars of Pompey the Great, he would find that there is no tomfoolery in Pompey's camp. The ceremony and sobriety of war requires modesty. Gower replies that the enemy is loud, though, and that they could hear them all night. Fluellen concludes that this is because the enemy is foolish and idiotic. Does that mean they should stoop to their level? Gower will lower his voice. Fluellen is glad for it. Gower and Fluellen leave.

King Henry thinks there is a lot of courage in Fluellen, even if he is a little old fashioned. Three soldiers, John Bates, Alexander Court and Michael Williams enter. Court asks Bates if dawn is breaking. Bates admits it is, but they have no reason to want the day to come. Williams thinks it is the beginning of the day too, but he doesn't think they will see the end of it. They see Henry and ask who he is. King Henry replies that he is a friend and serves Sir Thomas Epringham. Williams asks what Epringham thinks of their situation. Henry replies that they are men beached on the sand and waiting to be washed out with the next tide. Bates wonders if he has told the King this. Henry admits he has not, nor would it be right for him to do so. The King is, after all, only a man, the same as anyone else. All of his senses are of a normal man's, and without his clothes he looks the same as a common man. He even fears the same way as other men, but he must not betray his fear just in case it disheartens his army. Bates believes that the King can act as bravely as he wants, but he's sure that he would rather be neck deep in the Thames. This is where Bates would rather be too, as long as they were far away from this place. Henry doesn't think the King wants to be anywhere but where he is right now. Bates wishes he would stand alone, then, and save all of his follower's lives. Henry doesn't think he does: if he wished this, he would not truly love the King. He wonders if Bates says this merely to find out how everyone else feels. He wouldn't want to die anywhere else, but in the King's company as his cause is just and honourable.

Bates and Williams discuss this: even if the cause is wrong, their obedience to the King will clear their consciences. On the other hand, if the cause is not just the King will have to answer for a lot on Judgement Day. If the men do not die well, then the King will have to answer for this as their subjects could not disobey. Henry doesn't think that the King is responsible for each soldier's end, just the same as a father is not responsible for his son who dies at sea, and a master is not responsible for his servant's death if he is attacked by robbers. He adds that there is also no such thing as a King with totally innocent followers in soldiers. Some might be guilty of murder, seduction, looting and stealing, escaping punishment at home, and so on. Everyone will eventually have to answer to God, and as War is God's way to get revenge, it makes sense for them to fight in a War. If these men die unprepared, the King is no more guilty of their being sent to Hell then he is guilty of those crimes the men committed before they were under his command. If a man is spared by God, he should use the rest of his time alive preparing and helping others to prepare for death. Williams agrees that the King is not responsible for every man's way of dying. Bates doesn't expect the King to answer for him, but he will fight courageously for him. Henry tells them he heard the King vow not to be ransomed. Williams thinks he would have said this no matter what, even if they end up with their throats cut. Henry vows never to trust the King's word again if he lives to see that. Williams mocks him for having said that—why would the King care if he wasn't trusted again. Williams and Henry vow to make an argument and fight of this if they ever live to see another day. Williams wonders how he will recognize Henry in the future. Henry asks for a trinket he can wear in his hat. If Williams dares to acknowledge he has seen it, they will take up their quarrel again. They swap gloves. Williams will wear Henry's glove in his hat, too.

Bates urges them to be friends as they have enough enemies on the French side. Henry tells the men that the French can bet twenty crowns to one that they will beat the English, but it's no treason for the English to cut off French heads and the King himself will do some chopping the next day. Bates, Court and Williams exit, leaving the King by himself.

The King is upset that everything is his responsibility. Although it goes along with being born of greatness, it is hard to bear the brunt of every man who sees that he is suffering in some way. He wonders what more private men have in terms of peace, and what he is missing out on, and whether or not God and ceremony is worth anything at all. Nothing in ritual can give him peace so he can sleep soundly in bed with an empty mind. The common man who spends his day working and his night sleeping is much better off than the King himself.

Erpingham enters and reports that Henry's subjects are looking for him. Henry orders them gathered in his tent. He will meet them there. Erpingham leaves. Henry prays that his soldiers' courage is bolstered and that they will not know what fear is. He asks that they are robbed of the ability to count, so that they will not know how many enemy soldiers stand before them. He also prays that the Lord does not think about his father, Richard, stealing the English crown. He has tried to show remorse for his father's crime by hiring five hundred almsmen to give them a better life than the poor one they have, and he has built two chapels where priests sing constantly for Richard's soul. He cannot do anymore than this in asking for a pardon for the crime already committed. Gloucester enters. Henry knows why he has come: everyone is waiting for him. Everything—even the day—waits for him. They leave.

Act Four - Scene Two

In the French camp near Agincourt, the Dauphin enters with Orleans, Rambures and others. They are eager and excited to get started with the battle. The Constable enters. He tells them to listen to the horses who seem to neigh to get on with their service. The Dauphin orders his men to dig their spurs into the horse's flanks so that the blood skirts into English eyes. Rambures wonders why they don't want to see the Englishmen's real tears instead.

A Messenger enters and reports that the English are already in the field. The Constable tells them all to get onto their horses right away. All they'll have to do is show their formidable strength to the starving army and the English will be too terrified to fight. They won't even have enough blood in their bodies to leave stains on their swords. They could even send their servants and peasants to do the fighting for them, and it would still be a glorious victory, but their own honour wouldn't survive that. They call for trumpets to sound the signal to mount up and march. Grandpre enters and wonders what they are waiting for—the English are an offence to the field that they stand in, that their banners are shredded, and the French air makes the men shiver. The crows wait for their moment, and there are no more words to describe the lack of life in this army. The Constable thinks they've said their prayers and then they wait for their deaths. The Dauphin wonders if they should send them food and fresh clothing and give their starving horses food before their fight. The Constable cannot wait. The sun is up, and they are wasting their chance. They all leave.

Act Four - Scene Three

In the English camp near Agincourt, Gloucester, Bedford, Exeter, Erpingham, Salisbury and Westmoreland enter. Gloucester wonders where the King is. Bedford tells him that he rode out alone to look at the French soldiers. Westmoreland thinks they have sixty thousand soldiers waiting for them. Exeter makes that five to one and the French soldiers are fresh and rested. Salisbury hopes that God will strike the French down as these odds are terrifying to him. He blesses the princes—if they do not meet again before they meet in heaven, they will still meet joyfully. He leaves to join his men. Bedford compliments him on his courage and kindness.

King Henry enters. Westmoreland wishes they had ten thousand more men from England who are still back home and not working that day. King Henry thinks that this is a silly prayer—if they are to die, then it's best that fewer English men die, and if they are to live, the more honour they will each have. Henry doesn't care if people eat his food and wear his clothes, but he is selfish when it comes to honour. He asks the men to make it known throughout the army that whoever has no courage or spirit to fight this battle can leave. Henry will assure them safe guard and money for their journey home as he does not want anyone afraid of dying with them in their army. Whoever stays and wins the battle with them can yearly look on their scars and show them to the people around them, and tell the story in considerable detail about what they did on this day long after they've forgotten everything else they used to know. The people of England will remember their names. Whoever sheds their blood with him this day will be his brother, no matter how common he is. He shall be granted nobility. And those back home in England in their beds will be sorry not to be here and think less of themselves when they listen to the story of what happened.

Salisbury enters and asks them to be quick as the French have arrived and will charge at any moment. Westmoreland wishes any man who isn't ready for them to die right now. Henry asks if he has changed his mind about having more help from England. Westmoreland wishes he could fight this battle alone with the King. King Henry likes this—it's much better than wishing for more soldiers. He hopes God will be with them all.

Montjoy enters and asks once more if the King is ready to negotiate his surrender to France. The Constable has also sent word that the English should say their final prayers of repentance so that their souls may go to God while their bodies fester in the field. Henry asks him to send back the same answer he did before. They can capture him and sell his bones. He wonders why the French feel they can mock him in this way. Many of the men here today will end up in English graves with the stories of what happened here written in brass. Those who leave their bones behind in France will be remembered too, and the smell of their rotting flesh will cause a plague in France. All of the men are ready to fight, no matter what happens. King Henry tells the messenger to not come again. If the French get their ransom, all they will get are Henry's bones, which will be of little use to anyone. Montjoy will take the message. He says goodbye and leaves. Henry is afraid that the Messenger will be back once again for his ransom.

York enters and asks to be the leader of the vanguard. Henry grants him this position. He tells the soldiers to advance. They all leave.

Act Four - Scene Four

On the battlefield at Agincourt, Pistol, a French Soldier and the Boy enter. Pistol tells the French man to surrender. In French, the soldier admits Pistol looks like a gentleman of high ranking. Pistol asks if the French man is a gentleman and what his name is. The French Soldier exclaims, but Pistol makes this for his name and calls him O. Signieur Dew. He assumes the French Soldier is a gentleman with a name like that and demands he pay a large ransom or be killed with his sword. The French Soldier begs for mercy—he wonders if he can escape Pistol's arm, but Pistol mistakes the word arm/“bras” in French for brass and assumes the French soldier is offering him brass as a ransom. Pistol asks the Boy to come closer and ask the French Soldier what his name is. It is Master Fer. Pistol tells him to prepare for death as he is going to cut his throat. The French Soldier has this translated for him by the Boy. The Soldier vows to give him two hundred crowns if Pistol spares his life. The Boy points out that this would be breaking his oath to pardon any prisoner but Pistol is prepared to take the crowns to spare the Soldier. The Soldier is so happy that he is fortunate to have fallen into battle with such a kind and valiant Knight. The Boy tells the French Soldier to follow Pistol, which he does, leaving the Boy alone.

The Boy thinks Bardolph and Nym had ten times the amount of courage that Pistol has. He is sorry he has to stay with the servants as they are unprotected from the French. He leaves.

Act Four - Scene Five

On the battlefield, the Constable, Orleans, Bourbon, Dauphin and Rambures enters. They lament that they are in trouble. Battle noises ring out. The Dauphin tells them not to run away. The Constable notes that their men have broken ranks. The Dauphin suggests they should stab themselves. He can't believe that these are the same men they played dice and bet on. Orleans can't believe that this is the King they offered to take ransom from. Bourbon wants to die honourably. They should go back into the fight—anyone who remains behind will die a dishonourable, shameful death. The Constable considers that they could go back into the chaos and give up their lives. Orleans thinks there are enough of them left that if they could restore order to the army, they could fight and overcome the English. Bourbon doesn't care for order—he'll go back into the battle now. They all leave.

Act Four - Scene Six

Still on the battlefield, King Henry, Exeter, and his Soldiers enter. Henry compliments them on a job well done, but reminds them the battle is not over yet as the French are still fighting. Exeter relays a message from the Duke of York who sends Henry his respect. Henry is amazed he is still alive as three times he saw York down on the floor, and three times he sprung back up again and fought. He was covered in blood from helmet to spurs. Exeter tells Henry he is still like that, lying on the ground and drenching the field with his blood. He lies beside the Earl of Suffolk, who died first. York took him by the beard and kissed his gashes, crying out for Suffolk to wait for him so their souls could keep each other company. Exeter then went to comfort him. York took his hand and asked him to send his respects to Henry. After that, he put his arm around Suffolk and kissed him in a testament of undying love. Exeter tried to hold his tears back, but it was too hard. Henry doesn't blame him. Even hearing about it has made his eyes misty. The sounds of battle call him back. The French have regathered their men into order. All the prisoners should be killed immediately. He calls for the word to be sent throughout the soldiers. They all leave.

Act Four - Scene Seven

Fluellen and Gower enter. Fluellen is amazed that the French would have killed the boys with the luggage as it is expressly against the rules of combat. Gower couldn't see a single boy left alive. Their murderers were those running from the battle. They have either burned or carried away everything else that was in the King's tent, and so the King has ordered every prisoner's throat to be cut. Fluellen compares Alexander the Great's birthplace of Macedon to King Henry's birthplace of Monmouth. He does not see many differences between them. He also does not see many differences between the two men's lives. Gower disagrees—Henry has not killed any of his best friends like Alexander did. Fluellen is not pleased that Gower has cut him off before he has made his conclusion. He is merely talking about comparisons. So, just as Alexander killed his friend while drinking, Henry, having come to his senses, has sent away the Knight in the oversized doublet who was always mocking people. Gower reminds Fluellen his name was Falstaff.

King Henry enters with Warwick, Gloucester, Exeter and others to the sound of battles. Henry has not been angry since he came to France until now. The sight of the French is offensive to him. They will not show a single man mercy. He tells the Herald to relay this message to the French. Montjoy enters. He asks Henry for a moment to count their dead and separate the commoners from the noble born. Henry doesn't even know who has won the battle yet as the French horsemen are still galloping around the field. Montjoy tells Henry that he won. Henry is please—he asks what the Castle nearby is called. Montjoy tells him it is called Agincourt. Henry announces that this battle shall be known as the Battle of Agincourt, then. Fluellen reminds Henry that his grandfather, Edward, fought a terrific battle on this field. They discuss the King's Welsh blood. Henry orders Heralds to go with Montjoy to bring an exact number of dead on both sides. He asks Williams to be brought to him.

Henry asks Williams about the glove he wears in his hat. Williams tells him about the Englishman he has to fight if he managed to survive the battle and their exchange of tokens. Henry asks Fluellen if Williams should keep his oath. Fluellen thinks he would be seen as a villain if he didn't. Henry warns them that his opposition could be a gentleman. Fluellen doesn't care if he was even the Devil himself—if he has made a vow, he must keep his vow. Henry tells Williams to keep his vow, and then asks who he serves under. He serves under Captain Gower. Henry sends Williams to fetch Gower.

Henry hands Fluellen William's glove and tells him to put it in his hat. He tells him that when he fought Alencon, he took his glove. If any man challenges the glove, then he is an enemy to them all. Fluellen should arrest him and prove his loyalty to Henry. Fluellen thanks Henry for this great honour. Henry sends Fluellen to find Gower and bring him to Henry's tent. He leaves to do that.

Henry tells Warwick and Gloucester to keep an eye on Fluellen as the glove he has given him might land him in a fight. According to the agreement they made, Henry should be wearing the glove himself, and Fluellen might end up injured. He asks the men to make sure nothing too serious happens between them. Exeter will come away with Henry. They all leave.

Act Four - Scene Eight

Gower and Williams enter. Fluellen enters behind them, wearing Williams' glove. Fluellen asks Gower to come quickly to the King's tent. Williams asks if he recognizes the glove. Fluellen knows the glove is a glove. Williams recognizes the one hanging out of Fluellen's hat. He challenges Fluellen, who immediately calls him a traitor to England. Gower calls Williams a villain. Fluellen tells Gower to stand aside while he fights this treasonous man. Williams vows he is not a traitor, but Fluellen calls this statement a lie. He is obviously a friend of the Duke of Alencon.

Warwick and Gloucester enter and ask what is happening. Fluellen announces that treason has been uncovered. King Henry and Exeter enter. Henry asks what has happened. Fluellen and Williams both give their stories about the glove. Henry reveals it was him Williams threatened to strike and spoke to in an unkind manner. Fluellen would like Williams' neck to pay the price of this insult. Henry asks Williams what he will do to make things better. Williams assures that he never intended to offend the King. Henry reminds him Williams abused him to his face. Williams begs him to understand. He had not represented himself as a King, but as a commoner. It is Henry's fault for not revealing himself as Williams would not have insulted him had he done so. Henry asks Exeter to fill the glove with gold coins and give it to Williams. He asks Fluellen to make friends with Williams. Fluellen gives him twelve pence and prays he will only serve God and keep out of brawls from now on. It will be better for him if he does. Williams will not take Fluellen's money. Fluellen assures him it's meant in good will. He can use it to get his shoes mended.

An English Herald enters. Henry asks him if the dead have been counted. The Herald hands over the count of slaughtered French men. Henry asks who they have taken prisoner from French nobility. They have taken Orleans, Bourbon and Bouciqualt, and a full fifteen hundred men besides common men. Henry tells them what the piece of paper says: ten thousand Frenchmen are dead. One hundred twenty six princes and nobles have died among these. Some of their names are Delabreth, Chatillon, Rambures, Dolphin, Alencon, Brabent, and Grandpre. Henry asks for the number of dead English. The Herald hands him another piece of paper. Henry reads it: York, Suffolk, Kelty, and Gam are dead. Only twenty five other men lost their lives. Henry sees this as God's intervention—he must have been on their side for so many on the French side to lose their lives, and so few on the English side to lose theirs.

Henry suggests they should make a procession to the village. Anyone in their army who boasts or tries to take credit from God for this victory will be hung. Fluellen wonders if it is permissible to mention the number of dead on each side. It is, but only in the context that God fought for them. Henry will have the holy rites performed, and then they will leave for Calais and then England. They all leave.

Act Five

Act Five - Prologue

The Chorus enters and fills in the gaps for those in the audience who do not already know this story. He begs them to excuse gaps in time, and all the things that cannot be properly represented in their size and reality. He asks the audience to imagine the King has come to Calais and travelled from here on the sea. On the coast of England, the people line the shore and applaud as the ships draw near. Henry then proceeds to London. He refuses to carry his sword and helmet used in battle within the procession as he is full of humility and attributes the victory to God. The Chorus asks the audience to imagine a sizeable number of people come to celebrate the King's arrival back in London.

The Emperor comes to ask for peace between France and England, and then Henry returns to France. The Chorus exits.

Act Five - Scene One

In the English camp in France, Fluellen and Gower enter. Gower wonders why Fluellen is still wearing his leek as Saint Davy's Day has already passed. Fluellen tells him that Pistol came to see him yesterday and bought him bread and salt and told him to eat his leek. He could not pick a fight with him where they were, and so he has decided to wear it in his hat until he sees him again. Pistol enters. Gower notes that Pistol has swollen and puffed himself up like a turkey. Fluellen calls him a villain. Pistol wonders if Fluellen is a madman who wants him to cut his life short. The smell of leek makes him feel sick. Fluellen would like to see him eat this leek, particularly as Pistol hates them. Pistol won't. Fluellen strikes him. He wonders if he will eat it now. Pistol vows he will die. Fluellen will, when it is God's will that he does. In the meantime, he'll be happy if Pistol would live and eat his food. He strikes him again. Gower tells him to stop as he has already stunned him. Fluellen will either make him eat the leek or give him a head bashing that will last four days. Pistol asks if he actually has to bite the leek. Fluellen tells him he absolutely has to. Pistol swears, he will make him pay for this, but as Fluellen goes to strike him again he agrees to eat it. Fluellen wonders if he would like some sauce to go with the leek. Pistol tells him to stop fussing—he's eating the leek, isn't he? Fluellen hopes that it does him some good. He hands Pistol a penny to heal his head with. Pistol will take it, or Fluellen will find another leek in his pocket that he can eat. Pistol takes the penny as a token for Fluellen's revenge. Fluellen owes him nothing but slaps. Fluellen wishes him well and then leaves.

Pistol vows that there will be hell to pay. Gower tells him to get going. He's a lying, cowardly man. He mocks an ancient tradition worn out of respect for those who have died, and he has the audacity to refuse to stand by his own words. Just because Pistol didn't think Fluellen spoke English like a native man didn't mean he couldn't handle a club, and now he has learned otherwise. This is to be a lesson to Pistol to not underestimate the Welsh in the future. He says goodbye and then leaves.

Pistol believes Fortune has turned her back on him. He has had news that Nell died of an illness in a hospice. He has no dignity left. He will turn into a pickpocket, go back to England, and steal some more when he arrives. He will patch his wounds up and claim he got them in the battle against the French. He leaves.

Act Five - Scene Two

At the royal court in France, King Henry, Exeter, Bedford, Gloucester, Warwick, Westmoreland enter through one door. The French King, Queen Isabel, the Princess Katherine, Alice and others enter with the Duke of Burgundy through the other. King Henry calls the French King his brother and wishes both him and his family good health. The King of France returns the greeting and makes Henry welcome. Queen Isabel is pleased to see Henry as his face before now had such a terrifying look in the face of battle. She hopes that the venom in his look and personality has disappeared and that they shall end up friends. King Henry agrees with her. Burgundy offers his loyalty and love to both France and England. He has struggled for a long time to bring these two monarchs together in a meeting, and now he has succeeded he demands to know what else stands in the way of them entering into a peace. He tells them that peace has been absent from France for such a long time, and this peace has affected families and their children, vineyards and the countryside as a whole. If they can reverse the effect of war on the country and bring about peace, then maybe everything else can go back to the way it was. Henry tells Burgundy that to have peace between them, France must agree to England's demands, which he has already given him in detail. Burgundy admits the French King has not given his answer yet. Henry makes it clear that peace depends on his answer.

The French King admits he has only glanced at the demands. He wonders if Henry could appoint some of his followers as part of a council who can explain the demands to him so he can give his answer right away. Henry sends Exeter, Clarence, Gloucester, Warwick and Huntingdon with the King. Henry gives them the power to change, remove or add to the demands to England's advantage during the meeting. Queen Isabel will also go—a woman's voice might be of use to them when discussions hold up advancing further. Everyone except for King Henry, Katherine and Alice exits.

Henry asks Katherine to teach him what to say to show his love. Katherine thinks he is mocking her as she cannot speak English as well as he does. Henry doesn't care how she says it—if she loves him with her French heart, he will hear it in her broken English. Henry calls her an angel. Katherine asks for confirmation from Alice that this is what he said. Katherine is amazed that all men are deceitful in their way of speaking. Henry is glad Katherine's English is not better than it is, because if she could understand more she might think him a common King, almost as if he had sold his farm to buy the crown. He doesn't know how to talk about love in a delightful way. Henry can only state that he loves her, ask for her own answer and then they will enter into an agreement. Katherine is not pleased. Henry explains he can't recite or write poetry, or dance to woo her. He could perform feats of strength for her. If Katherine could take Henry for what he is as he stands in front of her, then they will be married. If not, he will not die for love. He will die for God, when God is ready to take him. Any man could talk of beauty, but these are just words. They don't mean anything.

Katherine doesn't know if it's possible for her to love an enemy of France. Henry corrects her—if she loved him, she would be loving the friend of France. Henry loves France so much that he will not part with a single part of it. He will have it, and he will have Katherine, and when he has Katherine she will also have France. Katherine doesn't understand. Henry tries to explain it to her in French, but believes he has failed miserably. Katherine compliments his French—it is better than her English, at least. Henry presses her again—can she love him? Katherine doesn't know if she can. Henry knows if she does manage to win her hand, it won't be without a struggle. He thinks this is good as Katherine will make a good mother of soldiers.

Henry suggests that he will look better as he grows older. He can't look any worse than he looks now, so if Katherine takes him for her husband, he will grow on her. He urges her to put aside her blushes and just to answer him plainly. Katherine will marry him if it will please her father. Henry assures her it will. Katherine agrees to marry him. Henry wants to kiss her hand, but Katherine will not allow him on account of her being his servant still. Henry will kiss her lips then, but it is not custom for French maidens to kiss before they have been married. Henry assures her that these customs curtsy and bow to great Kings. They are the makers of custom and, therefore, have freedom to do what they want. He kisses her.

The French King, Queen Isabel, Burgundy and others enter. Burgundy wonders if Henry is teaching Katherine English. He is teaching her how much he loves her, which is good English to him. Henry cannot conjure up love in her spirit, and she cannot show herself to be in love with him. Burgundy doesn't think they can blame her—all virgins are forced to stand in front of naked boys, which is a lot to ask of them. Henry assures him that virgins close their eyes, so they don't have to see anything. Burgundy thinks they can be excused if they can't see what they're doing. Henry asks Burgundy to teach Katherine to close her eyes. Burgundy can—women can be handled, especially well during the summer. Henry wonders if this means he has to wait for summer and blind Katherine in order to win her love. Henry asks the French King if Katherine will be his bride. She will, if it pleases Henry.

Henry asks if they have agreed to all of the other demands. He has. Henry asks for confirmation from his English Lords. The only thing he has not agreed to do is to address Henry with his new title, but the French King will give in if Henry asks for this. Henry will let this one slide as long as he can have Katherine. The French King implores Henry to take her for his wife and to have children with her so the two countries can enter into a peace and finally end their mutual envy and hatred.

Trumpets sound. Queen Isabel hopes that God will join their hearts and kingdoms into one. Henry calls for preparations for the wedding. He will take an oath of loyalty from Burgundy and all of his friends to ensure the treaty on that day. Then Katherine and he will swear to one another. He hopes that their oaths will be well kept ones. They all leave.

The Chorus enters. He admits that the life of their English hero was short, but he lived an extraordinary life. He left his son, Henry VI, as the crowned King of France and England, but France was lost because so many people were managing the ruling of the Kingdoms. Civil war broke out in England. He admits that this story is one they have acted out many times on the stage already. He hopes that the audience will take this one kindly as well, and then leaves.