Choice Review

In "this short, historiographically-oriented but critically conceived" life, Dockray's Henry V clearly possessed the virtues of a chivalric king. He was a masterful general who was brave in battle (and severely wounded at 16) but who vowed he fought in the service of God. Henry was also a successful civil ruler. Despite prolonged absences in France, his forceful exercise of royal power in England reduced civil disorder and for the most part produced harmonious relations with Parliament. Although not a reformer, Henry proved that English medieval government could be relatively successful. While noting the praise contemporary writers gave to Henry's character, Dockray claims that occasionally Henry's behavior toward his enemies--especially the victims of his siege warfare in France--was inhumanely cruel. Moreover, Henry's autocratic temperament often made him intolerant of opposing views. Finally, by tying English policy to the Treaty of Troyes, which much of Valois France would never accept, Henry left a doomed legacy to his successors. A clear, well-written book, this includes notes but no maps. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. C. L. Hamilton formerly, Simon Fraser University