Henry V Silver Groat AD 1413-1422

Henry V Silver Groat 1413-1422AD

Facing bust crowned. Mullet on right shoulder/ Long cross with 3 pellets in each angle.

25mm, 3.71g

Henry V is perhaps England’s most famous warrior king and was immortalised by Shakespeare for his victory over the French at Agincourt. Henry as Duke of Monmouth was increasingly involved in the affairs of state as his father Henry IV became increasingly ill from about the middle of his reign. As a young man Henry V was injured by an arrow at the Battle of Shrewsbury and all his subsequent portraits show only the left side of his face.

Civil Wars in France gave Henry IV the chance to re ignite the Hundred Years war and 2 expeditions were launched against France in AD 1411/1412. In AD 1415 Henry led another expedition to France capturing Harfleur. Against advice he decided to march back to Calais. It was on St Crispin’s Day, 25th October that he came up against the much larger French army. Deciding on battle he succeeded in routing the French force and winning one of the most famous victories in England’s history.

Returning for a second campaign he stormed across northern France capturing Rouen in AD 1419 and eventually Paris. Peace was negotiated at the Treaty of Troyes in AD 1420 whereby Henry was recognised as King of France after the death of the French king Charles VI. Unfortunately Henry died suddenly in AD 1422 shortly before Charles VI and before he could be crowned in Paris.