- Hardcover: 494 pages
- Publisher: Methuen Publishing Ltd; First Edition edition (26 Oct 1992)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0413532801
- ISBN-13: 978-0413532800
- Product Dimensions: 24 x 15.4 x 4.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 787,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Based on primary sources in both English and French archives, this biography depicts the reign of Henry V in the broad European context of the period. It concludes that through his personality the king united the country in war but also provided domestic security and solid government.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Christopher Allmand has produced a thoroughly researched and well-written account of the life of one of England's greatest monarchs.
I was slightly daunted by the length of the book but it was written in an accessible style: you don't need to be an academic to enjoy it!
The book is not a wholly chronological account. The first section concentrates on Henry's life before he became King, while the second section concentrates on the various French campaigns.
The third, most extensive part of the book is more general & is divided into categories (law & order, religious policy, etc.). Structuring the book in this way means that the King's death is dealt with about halfway through the book. This creates something of an anti-climax & is therefore my only criticism, although I suspect this is a matter of personal taste.
In summary, I would recommend this as the first port of call for anyone with an interest in Henry V. I think it is the best biography around.
Format:Paperback
This work is by far the most comprehensive and informative Biography of Henry V I have yet to come across. Unlike quite a few others it covers Henry's life in its entirety, and devoted whole chapters to Henry's early years and upbringing.
Most importantly perhaps it provides a sound, objective, and reasoned analysis of Henry as King and man. Whilst other more and less recent Bios take extreme positions and cite Henry's negative or controversial actions and decisons to demonise him, bash him or prove that he was evil and heartless, (most notably Ian Mortimers) or else take the opposite extreme of Lionising Henry to a near Godlike status akin to theat of his characters in Shakespeare's play.
Allmand does neither of these, instead he takes the Middle ground and examines Henry's actions and motivations in light of his circumstances, criticising when it is justified, but also giving credit where it is due. Overall he builds a picture of a Good and popular King, and talented commander, whose sense of justice, loyalty and duty could lead to excessive, and sometimes ruthless reactions against those who were disloyal to him. In context, this becomes more understandable, when it is shown that Henry was not born ti be King, and that his father's usurpation may have had a profound effect on the young Henry, making him more anxious to secure and protect his position, and maybe causing him to have a more extreme line on the importance of loyalty and obedience on the part of his subjects.
Allamand was one of the foremost experts on the Hundred Years war, and the rule of the Lancasrtians in France of his day, and so perhaps has more insight and knowledge of the reign of Henry, his legacy, and impact on history then most, if not all other biographers.
If you wish to truly understand Henry, read this book, it is not the easist read but is well worth the effort.
Most importantly perhaps it provides a sound, objective, and reasoned analysis of Henry as King and man. Whilst other more and less recent Bios take extreme positions and cite Henry's negative or controversial actions and decisons to demonise him, bash him or prove that he was evil and heartless, (most notably Ian Mortimers) or else take the opposite extreme of Lionising Henry to a near Godlike status akin to theat of his characters in Shakespeare's play.
Allmand does neither of these, instead he takes the Middle ground and examines Henry's actions and motivations in light of his circumstances, criticising when it is justified, but also giving credit where it is due. Overall he builds a picture of a Good and popular King, and talented commander, whose sense of justice, loyalty and duty could lead to excessive, and sometimes ruthless reactions against those who were disloyal to him. In context, this becomes more understandable, when it is shown that Henry was not born ti be King, and that his father's usurpation may have had a profound effect on the young Henry, making him more anxious to secure and protect his position, and maybe causing him to have a more extreme line on the importance of loyalty and obedience on the part of his subjects.
Allamand was one of the foremost experts on the Hundred Years war, and the rule of the Lancasrtians in France of his day, and so perhaps has more insight and knowledge of the reign of Henry, his legacy, and impact on history then most, if not all other biographers.
If you wish to truly understand Henry, read this book, it is not the easist read but is well worth the effort.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
*The* biography on Henry V
22 July 1999
Prof. Allmand's biography of Henry V is the first coherent work on the subject for our generation. It is also the best bio on Henry V in the past 60-70 years. Allmand gives a fairly bare-bones analysis of King Henry V's brilliant but short life, and then expands in later chapters on several themes such as the royal family, law + order, and the like. Allmand's work is scholarly but does not drown the reader in details. Is a good read and moves along in a coherent manner. If you are looking to learn more about the man Shakespeare called "the Mirror of all Christian Kings" Allmand's deft work is a good place to start and a valuable resource.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Medieval CEO
10 Jan 2001
As brilliantly portrayed by Mr. Allmand, Henry V personifies not only the fearsome and powerful character of a dark ages monarch, but also that one of a business-sound and strategy-aware leader. Whereas Shakespeare stresses Henry's prowess as a soldier and a hero, Allmand throws in unbeknownst traits: goal-oriented business planner, egalitarian political strategist, tireless academician, merciless warrior and fearing christian. Even though Mr. Allmand's prose teems with passive verbs and endless sentences, sometimes puzzling and even confusing the reader, his book is one of its kind.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Historically complete but a dull read
19 Jun 2009
Format:Paperback
I had some trouble rating this book. As a historical, factual, and detailed record of Henry V's reign, it is excellent. It is an outstanding reference text. However, as an enjoyable read, it's painfully boring. It's obvious from the text, that the author poured over many 15th century documents and he lists many of the facts from those documents in excrutiating detail. For example, listing dozens of the more prominent citizens of the realm, how much each of them contributed in taxes, etc. The author follows the same course on many other topics in order to paint a complete picture of Henry's reign and to describe certain historical trends. The book is complete and informative, but it's not an enjoyable read. The author is an excellent historian but not a great writer. He brings no life or excitement to the narrative. So four/five stars as a reference text, 2 stars as a history book that I'd actually like to read.
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