The Untold Story Of England’s Greatest King - Dan Jones

Why Write a Book About Henry V? (0s)

• Henry V is considered a sufficiently important historical figure to write about, given his significance in medieval history and his reputation as one of the greatest kings of England (0s).
• The author's personal interest in Henry V stems from having written about the Plantagenet dynasty and the Wars of the Roses, leaving a gap in their historical narrative that Henry V's life fills (16s).
• Henry V is often regarded as the epitome of great kingship, with his name becoming a byword for excellent leadership, making him a compelling subject for biographical study (1m8s).
• The author believes that Henry V's life can be seen as a case study of effective leadership in times of crisis, as he came to power during a period of political division, pandemic, and climate change (1m53s).
• Despite the challenges he faced, Henry V was able to unite his realm and achieve great triumphs through his personality, charisma, competence, and moral example (2m44s).
• The author suggests that Henry V's story is particularly relevant today, as people are looking for leaders who can bring about positive change and overcome seemingly intractable problems (3m5s).
• Henry V's impact was significant despite his short reign of only nine years, and his legacy has endured as a result of his concentrated efforts and achievements during that time (3m38s).
• The author notes that Henry V's early death at the age of 35, shortly after his greatest triumph, has contributed to his lasting legacy (3m58s).
• England's greatest king achieved a lot in a short time, conquering France, and his short lifespan prevented the decay of his legacy from setting in during his watch (4m8s).
• He was able to achieve so much due to his long and busy apprenticeship, which prepared him for kingship, allowing him to hit the ground running at the age of 26 (4m24s).
• This apprenticeship served him well, as he was experienced in almost every facet of being a king, and he didn't have to learn on the job (4m49s).
• He was also considered lucky, as he was fortunate to become king despite being unlikely to do so, and he was lucky to win critical battles and not die in the process (5m0s).
• In his time, his luck was interpreted as being favored by God, and he was seen as blessed (5m33s).
• The king's unlikely rise to power was attributed to Fortune, with Shakespeare's play Henry V stating that "Fortune made his sword," implying that his kingship was fated (5m12s).

Why Henry V Was an Unlikely King (5m42s)

• Henry V was born as the eldest son of Henry Bolingbrook, the eldest son of the Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt, who was the most powerful, richest, and arguably hated character in the kingdom apart from the king (5m45s).
• John of Gaunt was the uncle of the king, Richard II, and had a claim to the crown of Castile but not to England, so it was expected that Richard II would have children and they would inherit the crown (5m53s).
• Young Henry was born on September 16, 1386, and was expected to inherit the greatest noble landholding in the realm, but not the crown, and had a noble upbringing and education (6m28s).
• However, a great quarrel arose between his father, Henry Bolingbrook, and Richard II in 1399, which led to Bolingbrook deposing Richard II, imprisoning him, starving him to death, and taking the crown for himself (6m57s).
• At that point, young Henry was 12 or 13 years old, and his life changed dramatically as he became a heartbeat away from wielding supreme power (7m15s).
• Henry IV, who had deposed Richard II, was considered a usurper and had to labor under the political consequences of the usurpation, making allowances to the people who put him in power and dealing with financial debt and social obligations (9m10s).
• He also wore the burden of sin on him, as he saw it, and was trapped by the moral repercussions of what he had done, which led to increasing numbers of serious health problems (9m59s).
• When Henry IV handed over the crown to his son, Henry V, the stain of usurpation and illegitimacy did not pass down the generations, and Henry V did not have to deal with the same moral and political consequences as his father (10m37s).

Henry V’s First Major Achievement (10m47s)

• Henry V's first major achievement as part of his royal apprenticeship occurred when his father, King Henry IV, sent him to Wales at the age of 14 to learn his craft and deal with a massive rebellion led by Owen Glendower, who wanted to kick the English out of Wales (11m21s).
• The rebellion had caused chaos, with tax revenues drying up, English-held castles being taken by Welsh rebels, and English officials being murdered or driven out of the country (11m43s).
• Henry was sent to Wales with minders to learn his craft as a warlord, a crucial part of being a medieval king (12m7s).
• At the age of 15, Henry wrote a letter to his father in French, the normal language of aristocratic discourse, describing his experiences in Wales and showing a sense of enjoyment and aggression (12m17s).
• In the letter, Henry mentioned that he had gone to fight Owen Glendower but found that he was not where he said he would be, so Henry burned down his house and later beheaded one of Glendower's associates who offered him money in exchange for his life (12m46s).
• Henry's letter also requested money from his father and expressed his desire for respect and praise, showing that he was determined to do the job properly (13m10s).
• Henry's experience in Wales was an early indication of his abilities as a future king, and he seemed to have learned his craft quickly (13m37s).

Surviving an Arrow Through the Skull (13m40s)

• Henry's life-changing moment occurred at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403, where he was nearly killed by an arrow shot from a longbow in the face, and it's considered a miracle that he survived (13m40s).
• The arrowhead buried itself in his skull to a depth of 6 inches, and the surgeon, John Bradmore, later noted that this was a severe injury (14m38s).
• After the battle, Henry was taken to Kenilworth Castle, where doctors were summoned to treat his injury, but it was a challenging situation, and only John Bradmore had the necessary skills and nerve to perform the operation (15m28s).
• John Bradmore was a skilled surgeon who had carried out impressive operations in the past, including saving the life of a carpenter who had opened an artery and operating on Henry the Fourth's master of pavilions who had attempted suicide (15m58s).
• Bradmore had also performed plastic surgery, including eyelid and scar repair, and had the necessary tools and knowledge to attempt to save Henry's life (16m24s).
• The operation was technically difficult, requiring the surgeons to open up the entry wound to remove the arrowhead, rather than pushing it out the other side (17m10s).
• Despite the risks and challenges, Bradmore successfully carried out the operation, and Henry survived, which was a remarkable achievement given the severity of his injury (17m1s).
• Henry, a 16-year-old prince, suffered a severe wound in his face from an arrow and underwent a 30-day recovery process, during which he hovered between life and death, presumably in immense pain, scared, and bored (17m16s).
• The wound was treated by a doctor named Bradmore, who used cloth plugs, honey, and wine-based antiseptics to keep the wound clean, and a specially designed tool to remove the arrowhead (17m26s).
• The recovery process likely had a profound impact on Henry's personality, leading him to believe that he was saved for a reason and that God had kept him on Earth to fulfill a purpose (18m38s).
• This experience may have motivated Henry to act with extraordinary focus, certainty, and determination as an adult, and to see himself as God's vessel (19m40s).
• After becoming king, Henry explicitly stated that he was just God's tool, and that his actions were driven by a desire to fulfill God's will (19m56s).
• Henry's mentality was likely shaped by his experiences as a 16-year-old, and his strong sense of religiosity was similar to that found in modern Saudi Arabia, where religion permeates every aspect of politics (20m40s).
• Henry's experiences during this period, including his near-death experience and his recovery, likely played a significant role in shaping his personality and worldview (21m11s).
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Seeing The World Through Legendary Individuals (22m19s)

• The concept of the "great man Theory" in history, which suggests that powerful individuals shape the course of events, has been considered old-fashioned nonsense for a long time, but it may be worth reconsidering the role of individuals in shaping historical events (22m53s).
• The randomness of individuals and their personalities can play a significant role in shaping the world, and this is evident in current world politics, where the personalities of leaders like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong-un have a significant impact (23m44s).
• The concentration of power in the past, particularly in monarchies, meant that the personalities and actions of individual leaders had a disproportionate impact on the world, and this is still felt in the cultural and social implications of their reigns (24m29s).
• The "great man Theory" has been pushed back against because it suggests an inegalitarian meritocracy, where the actions of a few individuals can shape the course of history, which can be unpopular in a society that values equality and meritocracy (25m6s).
• However, the fact that people are often galvanized by individuals, whether in history or in contemporary culture, suggests that the "great man Theory" may still have some relevance, particularly in understanding how individuals can shape the world through their actions and personalities (25m31s).
• The impact of individual leaders can be felt for generations, and their personalities and actions can shape the cultural and social norms of a society, even if it is just through a single encounter or event (25m59s).
• There are two separate questions to consider: whether the world is really shaped by individuals, and whether humans best understand the world through the stories of individuals (26m18s).
• Historical storytelling often focuses on individual personalities and events, which can be seen in works such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, as well as Greek mythology, where personification is used to explain the world (26m47s).
• The "great man theory" of history, which emphasizes the role of individual personalities in shaping events, can be oversimplified and problematic, as it neglects the impact of broader technological, economic, and environmental factors (27m36s).
• To understand historical change, it's essential to consider the interplay between individual personalities and larger forces, such as technological revolutions, climate shifts, and geographical factors (28m10s).
• In periods of relative stability or linear progress, individual personalities and actions may be more easily compared and contrasted, making them seem more significant in shaping events (28m34s).
• However, when considering broader historical periods or larger geographical areas, the impact of individual personalities may be less significant compared to larger forces such as climate change or technological advancements (29m45s).
• The onset of the Little Ice Age, for example, had a more profound impact on the Middle Ages than the personality of individual leaders like Henry V (29m54s).
• The Hundred Years War between England and France, which involved Henry V, can be seen as an example of more generalized turbulence in military and political terms, influenced by geographical and environmental factors (30m13s).
• The significance of individual personalities in history can vary depending on the lens used to analyze events, with a narrower focus emphasizing personalities and a broader focus highlighting larger forces (29m24s).
• The author's book about Henry V, which covers a relatively short period from 1386 to 1422, illustrates the importance of individual personalities in shaping events within a specific context (29m2s).
• In contrast, the author's book "Powers and Thrones," which covers over a thousand years, takes a broader view, emphasizing the impact of larger forces such as climate change and geography (29m39s).

Impact of the Little Ice Age (30m22s)

• The Little Ice Age had a significant impact on crop yields and agriculture, making it more difficult for human habitation, especially in colder climates like Northwest Europe (30m23s).
• The combination of the Little Ice Age and the Black Death pandemic led to a massive population decrease in England, with the population dropping from about 6 million to roughly 2 million across the 14th century (30m50s).
• The population of England did not recover until the Industrial Revolution, partly due to the high mortality rate of the Black Death, which was estimated to be 50-60% or even 70% in some areas (31m14s).
• The Little Ice Age made living on marginal land more difficult, resulting in a less productive country, and when an economy is close to subsistence, this creates a bad margin for error (31m28s).
• The theory that the Little Ice Age had a significant impact on human history has its holes and criticisms, as big history is often easy to pick apart due to its broad brush strokes (32m40s).
• Historian Yuval Noah Harari's book "Sapiens" is an example of a successful big history book, but it has also received backlash from the historical profession, with some critics motivated by envy (32m5s).
• Writing history is often about framing and using a specific lens to tell a story, and historians must consider their parameters and the kind of story they want to tell (32m59s).

How Henry V Became King (33m9s)

• Henry V rises to power by inheriting the crown from his father, but faces a difficult journey through his father's reign, including nearly dying on the battlefield of Shrewsbury at 16 years old (33m9s).
• After recovering, Henry returns to Wales and spends the next 10 years putting down the rebellion of Owain Glyndŵr, gaining hands-on training in the arts of war and kingship (33m31s).
• During this time, Henry learns how to besiege castles, deploy cannon, and manage finances, including begging for money from Parliament and convincing people to stay in the field despite not being paid (34m11s).
• Henry also deals with the problem of heresy, specifically the Lollards, who follow the teachings of radical Oxford theologian John Wycliffe, which are considered heretical and seditious (35m40s).
• As his father's health declines due to skin complaints, circulatory conditions, and strokes, Henry starts to move to the center of power, effectively operating as Regent and immersing himself in foreign policy, particularly with regards to France (34m54s).
• Henry must navigate the complexities of English policy towards France, which is collapsing into civil war between the Burgundians and the Armagnacs, and decide whether to take sides or remain neutral (35m20s).
• As Prince Henry, he is learning to deal with these issues as his father's Deputy, preparing him for his future role as King Henry V (36m53s).
• Henry IV's health is failing, and Henry, along with some of his closest allies on the Royal Council, suggests that the king should abdicate, but Henry IV refuses, knowing that abdication would be seen as usurping and would leave his son with the same problems he has faced (36m57s).
• In the Middle Ages, depositions of kings are usually framed as voluntary abdications, where the king relinquishes the crown rather than having it taken away, as seen in the cases of Edward II and Richard II (38m13s).
• Henry IV's refusal to abdicate is likely due to his concern that it would leave a question mark over his son's legitimacy and potentially contribute to his poor health and sense of existential malaise (39m5s).
• Henry IV decides to remain in office until he dies, believing it is the only way for his son to take over legitimately, and in doing so, he suffers the burden of his job and the moral guilt he carries (39m41s).
• Henry IV slaps down Henry, his son, and strips him of all power, ostracizing him from government and reversing some of his key policies, particularly those related to France, and makes it seem like he is promoting his second son Thomas in the succession (39m52s).
• Henry IV's actions are intended to teach his son a lesson, specifically that being king is not as simple as he thinks, and that asking his father to abdicate was a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of kingship (40m36s).
• Henry IV, also known as Henry Bolingbroke, was a glamorous, well-liked, and chivalrous person in his generation, known for being dashing and adventurous (41m16s).
• Before becoming king, Henry IV went to fight in a rebellion, which ultimately led to the starvation and death of Richard II (41m26s).
• During happier times, when Henry V was a small child, his father, Henry IV, was away fighting in a crusade with the Teutonic Knights against the pagans of the Baltic (41m34s).
• Henry IV fought alongside the great French knight, Boucicaut, who was famous in Europe for his impressive skills, including doing backflips in full armor and jumping onto his horse from a standing position (41m37s).
• Henry IV had to learn a hard lesson about kingship and what he was in line for, which made him a more impressive person with good foresight (40m53s).
• Examining the entire life of a king, rather than just their reign, can provide a different perspective on their character and actions (41m4s).

Was the King Expected to Be a Great Warrior? (41m59s)

• The expectation of a king to be a great warrior and military strategist, as well as skilled with a weapon, was a common assumption given that they were supposed to be adorned and protected by God (42m17s).
• The Great Seal, used to authenticate government documents, features the king in two roles: as a judge, representing the source of law and order, and as a warrior on horseback with a sword, representing the defender of the realm (42m40s).
• The king's job was seen as simple yet not easy, requiring them to provide law and defend the realm, with some kings, like Henry VI, choosing to lead from the front and put themselves in harm's way (43m10s).
• Not all kings led from the front, with some, like Edward III, preferring to hang back and direct from a distance, while others, like Henry VI, were more demonstrative in their leadership style (43m27s).
• Henry VI's style of leadership involved being present on the battlefield, directing sieges, and micromanaging the placement of cannons, showing his willingness to be involved in the thick of battle (44m4s).

Daily Routine of a Siege (45m17s)

• The object of a siege is to force the people in the besieged place to give it up, which could be a castle, a town, or a fortified town, by scaring them into giving up or making them feel hopeless (45m31s).
• Under the laws of siegecraft, the besieging army would typically surround the target and send an emissary to the leaders of the besieged place to ask if they will give up or if they need to be forced to give up (45m55s).
• If the besieged leaders agree to give up, it would be a peaceful transfer of property, and terms could be negotiated, but if they refuse, the besieging army would have to take the place by force (46m37s).
• If the besieging army succeeds in breaking into the city, they would be within their rights to massacre everyone, enslave, rape, burn everything down, and plunder the whole place (46m58s).
• If the besieged leaders surrender after initially refusing, they may be able to negotiate terms, but they would be in a much worse negotiating position (47m10s).
• Typically, the besieged leaders would respond to the emissary with a qualified "no," saying they will not give up immediately but will surrender if an ally does not come to relieve the city within a certain timeframe, such as 40 days (47m27s).
• This would create a structured timeframe for the siege, with the besieging army having 40 days to attempt to take the city, the defenders having 40 days to hold out, and the ally having 40 days to come and relieve the city (48m9s).
• The besieging army, led by someone like Henry V, would typically take over a building outside the city walls and use it as a base to launch attacks on the city (48m41s).
• The city would typically have an enclosed, walled center with a garrison defending it, and suburbs on the outside with fine buildings, monasteries, and fancy houses that the defenders might burn down to prevent the besieging army from using them (48m51s).
• Henry, the 15th-century English king, would typically take over a strategically useful position, such as a nice house in the suburbs or on high ground, and direct things from there, living in a degree of splendor and luxury (49m14s).
• Every day, Henry would visit the positions to see the people operating the cannon, archers, and others, making sure everyone's morale stayed high, and he was known for being very hands-on (49m30s).
• Henry was a man of the people, able to tour incognito around the soldiers, and he was good at moving amongst them, which is drawn from history (50m28s).
• He was a pretty chill dude who liked music, was a talented musician, loved to read, and had calming hobbies, but he also had a laser focus and was probably even more terrifying that way (50m50s).
• Henry was the first English king to routinely write back from the front line to his people in England in English, which was a propaganda move and a deliberate tactic to get the word out and galvanize his people (51m22s).
• Because Henry dictated those letters, his voice can be heard, and early 15th-century English is pretty similar to modern English when written down, although it would have sounded different when spoken (51m46s).
• Henry's voice is distinct, nagging, and imperative, always using phrases like "see that you fail not thereof" and being a real micromanager (52m0s).
• At one point, Henry was besieging town after town, grinding his way through Normandy, and was at a negotiating point where he might get the French king to disinherit his only surviving son and make Henry the regent of the crown of France (52m28s).
• Henry wrote a letter to the keeper of Pontefract Castle, where Charles, Duke of Orléans, was being kept, which shows his attention to detail and micromanaging style (52m57s).
• Henry is holding a prisoner from Anjou who has an alternative claim to the French Crown, making him a potential rival, and is being kept under lock and key in Pontifract Castle, where he is writing poetry (53m5s).
• Henry is issuing detailed instructions from hundreds of miles away to ensure the prisoner is securely guarded, warning the guards not to listen to the prisoner's persuasive words (53m20s).
• Henry's instructions are extremely specific, outlining a step-by-step process for the guards to follow, and warning them that they will face his anger if they fail to comply (53m45s).
• Henry's leadership style is characterized by a high degree of micromanagement, which may not be well-received by everyone, but appears to be effective in this instance (53m57s).

Henry V’s Romantic Life (54m8s)

• Henry V's romantic life is not well-documented, with some sources suggesting he was more like a monk than a king, and he didn't have many romantic conquests, especially after becoming king (54m8s).
• As a young man, Henry V was said to be inflamed with the fires of Venus and of Mars, indicating he enjoyed war and women, but there is little evidence to support this (54m46s).
• Unlike other medieval kings, such as Henry I, who fathered 22 illegitimate children, and Henry II, who kept many concubines, Henry V had his heart set on marrying the youngest daughter of the French King Charles VI, Katherine of Valois (55m13s).
• Henry V married Katherine in 1420 and remained faithful to her, with her becoming pregnant within months of their marriage and bearing their son and heir, Henry VI (55m40s).
• Henry V's focus on his goals and ability to execute them without distraction is unusual, and he had an exceptional ability to maintain clarity and avoid surrendering to his appetites (56m17s).
• The typical image of a medieval king is one of opulence and indulgence, but Henry V defies this stereotype, instead being focused and driven (56m44s).
• Henry V's age of 26 when he became king is considered relatively old, but not too old, allowing him to have gained experience and maturity without being too set in his ways (57m22s).
• In contrast, kings who became monarchs at a very young age, such as Richard II, who was crowned at 10 years old, often struggled with the pressures and expectations of the role (57m34s).

Why Agincourt Was a Huge Mistake (58m48s)

• Henry becomes King of England in 1413 and immediately focuses on going to France to take advantage of the country's weak state, with the French King being mad and the country being divided by factionalism (59m35s).
• Henry's goal is to pursue the long-held English foreign policy objective of taking the crown of France and conquering back large areas of land that were previously English (59m57s).
• In 1415, Henry takes a huge army by sea across the English Channel to besiege the town of Harfleur, which is on the south side of the mouth of the River Seine (1h0m24s).
• After a few months, Henry's army reduces the city, and he then has to decide what to do next, as it is getting late in the year and the campaigning season is ending (1h0m47s).
• Henry decides to march to the English-held town of Calais, which is the only other English town on the French side of the channel, with the aim of showing the French that he is strong and cannot be stopped (1h2m0s).
• Henry's decision to march to Calais is seen as a way of saying to the French, "Look at us, look at how strong we are, you can't stop us," and to show the people of France that their King is inadequate (1h2m20s).
• Henry's army is not in a fit state to fight a battle, but he still decides to march to Calais, leaving some men behind to defend Harfleur in case the French try to take it back (1h1m20s).
• Henry's decision to march to Calais is also seen as a way of boosting his own reputation and showing that he is a strong and capable leader (1h1m40s).
• Henry's army faces a geographical challenge in crossing the River Somme, as the French have broken the bridges, and the fording place used by Edward II in the 1340s is either impossible or unknown (1h3m1s).
• The French army from Paris is approaching Henry's army, which is getting increasingly tired and hungry, with around 8,000 men, while the French have significantly more, possibly double or more (1h3m56s).
• Henry's army is eventually cut off by the French army, and a battle becomes inevitable, with both sides having clear tactics: the English will use longbowmen to create a funnel and try to break the French cavalry, while the French will use heavy cavalry to break up the English positions (1h4m50s).
• Henry instructs his archers to prepare a six-foot pole sharpened at both ends to drive into the ground in front of them as a defense against French cavalry charges (1h5m16s).
• The French have the weight of numbers, a fresh army, and knowledge of the English tactics, but the English have Henry in charge, while the French have poor leadership and multiple people who think they're in charge (1h5m56s).
• The French king is not present at the battle, as he is considered mad, and the Dauphin is not there to avoid being captured (1h6m15s).
• Henry V was captured at Agincourt, which led to divided leadership and a sense of urgency among the English, as they knew that if they lost, their reign would be over, and if Henry didn't die, his reign might be over after two years when he returned home (1h6m22s).
• If the English had lost the battle, there would have been a big rebellion against the crown, as there had been a plot against Henry IV's reign, known as the Southampton plot, which involved Owen Glendower, the Earl of March, and Richard II, who some people believed was still alive (1h6m56s).
• The Southampton plot was a concoction of all the discontented nobles of Henry IV's reign, including John Oldcastle, a heretic who had escaped from the Tower of London, and they planned to overthrow Henry V (1h7m2s).
• If Henry V had lost the battle and returned home, he would have found it difficult to defend his kingdom, as the French would have been emboldened, and his credibility would have been severely damaged, leading to a rebellion (1h7m42s).
• However, Henry V won the battle against the odds, and his victory was celebrated with a triumph through the streets of London, which was equivalent to a modern-day Olympic opening ceremony (1h8m59s).
• Henry V was a man of intense seriousness and intensity, who believed that his victory was due to God's intervention, and he gave thanks to God rather than taking credit for himself (1h9m16s).
• Henry V was a serious person who enjoyed serious pursuits, such as music, reading, and wrestling, and he was known to be a skilled musician and a fan of wrestling (1h9m42s).
• Despite his serious nature, Henry V was also known to be a skilled fighter, who fought in the thick of battle and had an axe swung at his head, which dented his crown (1h8m40s).
• The famous pudding bowl haircut is associated with a particular time period, and it can be seen in images of people from that era, including Henry, although it was not unique to him (1h10m4s).
• The haircut is comparable to the iconic styles of famous bands, such as The Beatles in the 1950s, which became closely associated with the group despite not being the only ones to have it (1h10m19s).
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Henry V’s Strengths & Weaknesses (1h11m42s)

• A person's impressive qualities and advantages include the ability to identify and address issues, acute political sensitivity, and being a great listener and consulter, taking criticism on board without becoming irate or aggressive (1h11m44s).
• Upon coming to the throne, the king's first action was to take the English judicial system and parliament to the Midlands to address serious rioting and disorder, and to invite people to criticize him and bring their grievances (1h12m22s).
• The king is strong at stating what he's going to do and then doing it, with clarity and simplicity of objective, and is also extremely harsh and unsentimental, being a disciplinarian (1h13m12s).
• The king's friends, such as Henry Lord Scrope, were not spared from punishment, with Scrope being executed for disloyalty after failing to reveal the Southampton plot against the king in time (1h13m40s).
• The king also showed no special pleading to friends who were heretics, such as John Oldcastle, who was sentenced to burn to death as a heretic and later escaped from the Tower of London to become a rebel (1h13m59s).
• Oldcastle was eventually caught and burned and hanged at the same time, a special treatment known as a lard gallows, which is symbolic of punishment for heresy and treachery (1h14m46s).
• The king's harsh punishments, such as being killed on a lard gallows, burned and hanged, were not just meant to be painful, but also symbolic of the crimes committed, with the fire representing punishment for heresy and the hanging representing punishment for treachery (1h15m25s).
• In medieval England, those who led rebellions against the crown would suffer severe penalties, including hanging, drawing, and quartering, which involved hanging for theft, drawing on a hurdle for another crime, beheading, and cutting off the genitals and throwing them in the fire, with each component having a visual and symbolic meaning (1h15m40s).
• The presentation of punishments relied heavily on symbolism due to the semi-literacy of the population and the lack of mass media, making the optics of the punishment crucial (1h16m7s).
• In contrast, the French used the guillotine, which was seen as more clinical, but also employed other brutal methods such as flaying, where the skin was cut off the victim while they were still alive (1h16m27s).
• Flaying was a particularly gruesome method of execution that involved using a sharp knife to peel off the skin, often while the victim was strapped down or held still (1h16m43s).
• Philip I, also known as Philip the Fair of France, was notorious for his brutal executions in the 14th century, including the punishment of two knights who were accused of having affairs with the wives of Philip's sons (1h17m13s).
• The knights were flayed in public, and in one account, the Count of Armagnac was said to have been flayed, had goose feathers stuck to his bloodied muscles, and then had the feathers pulled out one by one (1h17m41s).
• Castration was a common component of hanging, drawing, and quartering, particularly if the crime had a sexual component, and was seen as a way to punish deviant behavior (1h18m25s).
• There were different levels of hanging, drawing, and quartering, with optional extras such as castration and disembowelment, which could be added to the punishment for an additional cost (1h18m40s).
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The End of Henry V (1h20m43s)

• Henry V's reign has a unique shape, with the conquest of Normandy taking place between 1415 and 1420, resulting in significant victories that forced the French to sign the Treaty of Troyes, making Henry the heir to the French throne upon Charles VI's death (1h20m51s).
• As part of the agreement, Henry marries Katherine of Valois and receives a substantial dowry, making it a beneficial deal for him (1h21m20s).
• In 1420, Henry returns to England to raise more funds to continue fighting, as the disinherited Dauphin is not happy about the situation, effectively turning it into a French Civil War (1h21m35s).
• Henry's brother, Thomas, is left in charge while he raises money in England, but Thomas gets himself killed, highlighting one of Henry's weaknesses as a leader: his inability to optimize for others who are not as capable as him (1h22m0s).
• Henry's leadership style makes it difficult for others to deputize for him, and his absence is deeply felt, much like the "Tesla worry" of how the company would cope without Elon Musk (1h22m55s).
• Henry returns to France, continues with siege craft, and grinds away in the French Civil War until his sudden death from dysentery at the age of 35, which is shocking to both the English and French people (1h23m26s).
• Henry's body is taken back to England for burial in Westminster, with massive outpourings of grief along the way, particularly in Normandy (1h24m17s).
• The death of Henry V, a great conqueror, caused grief and shock, but surprisingly, there was little turmoil, which is attributed to the competence of his legacy and the presence of veterans who fought alongside him. (1h24m29s)
• Henry V left behind a child of less than one year in age, Henry VI, who was surrounded by veterans of Henry's reign, including his brothers John Duke of Bedford and Humphrey Duke of Gloucester. (1h25m3s)
• John Duke of Bedford took over in France, managing the English-French Kingdom after the death of Charles I 6, the French King, and stayed in France for seven years, managing it effectively until the arrival of Joan of Arc. (1h25m23s)
• In England, long-standing veterans of Henry's reign, including Humphrey Duke of Gloucester and Bishop of Winchester, held the government together, but 30 years after Henry's death, the English possessions in France were reconquered by the French. (1h25m48s)
• The pressure from the loss of French possessions put immense pressure on the English government, and Henry VI, who grew up as king from one year old, became a timid pacifist, more interested in architecture than warfare. (1h26m17s)
• Henry VI's lack of apprenticeship and experience, unlike his father Henry V, contributed to his inability to lead the country effectively, and he is often criticized for his poor leadership. (1h26m50s)

Laying the Foundations for the War of the Roses (1h26m59s)

• Henry VI's 6th reign was a disaster, and by 1453, all English possessions in France, except for Calais, were lost, leading to a severe backlash in England and the eventual split into factions known as the houses of Lancaster and York, resulting in a civil war that lasted 30 years until Richard III lost the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 (1h27m5s).
• The problems in England could be rooted in 1399 with the removal of Richard II, which tore the fabric of the universe, or in Henry's overextension and pressure on England by having the burden of the Kingdom of France (1h27m50s).
• However, the biggest problem was that Henry died when he did, leaving his son 17 years away from becoming an adult, which meant that no one could renegotiate the terms of Henry's triumph and victory until Henry VI became an adult (1h28m21s).
• This led to 17 years of trying to hold on to what had been gained, which did not go well, and it is believed that if Henry had lived even another 10 or 5 years, he would have settled matters with the French, brought the war to an end, and possibly led a crusade to Jerusalem (1h28m52s).
• Henry's mind was on bigger things, including crusading, and he had a fellow mapping the Eastern Mediterranean, including Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, and Israel, in preparation for a potential crusade (1h29m0s).
• The papal schism had been settled in 1417, and Christendom was united, making it politically expedient for Henry to settle the English-French war and lead a crusade to Jerusalem (1h29m23s).
• Henry's death meant that no one had the authority to fix things on the English side, leading to a period of survival mode, and it is believed that Henry would have renegotiated the Treaty of Troyes and found a permanent settlement if he had lived (1h30m17s).
• The situation in France was unsustainable, with the kingdom partitioned along the Loire, and Henry would have had to find a permanent settlement, but his death meant that no one had the authority to do so (1h30m8s).
• The story of Henry the Fifth is a heroic one, but it ends with his unexpected death, serving as a reminder that even those who are blessed from above do not always get a grand finale, highlighting the caprice of fate or God (1h30m40s).
• This concept is reflected in the oldest stories, where the wheel of fortune is a common theme, emphasizing that life is unpredictable and can change suddenly (1h31m25s).
• As a non-fiction writer, the ending of Henry the Fifth's story is unsatisfying and poses a challenge in terms of storytelling, as it does not follow a traditional narrative arc (1h31m41s).
• The writer aims to craft a compelling story while remaining historically accurate and credible, which can be difficult when working with a story that does not have a neat, Hollywood-style ending (1h32m2s).
• Henry the Fifth's story is particularly challenging to write about because it lacks a traditional third act and hero's journey, making it difficult to package the story in a way that is engaging for readers who are used to more conventional narrative structures (1h32m18s).

Why Henry V Has Become Controversial (1h32m22s)

• Henry has become a subject of controversy recently, with criticisms that he was cruel, cold, barbaric, and brutal, particularly at the Battle of Agincourt, where he ordered the killing of French prisoners (1h32m22s).
• The decision to kill the prisoners was likely a reasoned and reasonable one in the context of the battle, as the English had appeared to win but the French were regrouping and there was a risk of a second wave of fighting (1h32m38s).
• The French had previously taken the oriflam, a sacred battle banner that signified no quarter would be given on the battlefield, meaning no prisoners would be taken and all would be killed (1h33m25s).
• The English archers were initially reluctant to carry out the order, as they had taken high-ranking French prisoners who could be sold for huge ransoms, but Henry sent a hit squad to kill the prisoners (1h34m6s).
• Henry's actions at Agincourt are still criticized today, with some viewing him as cold, brutal, and misogynistic, but these criticisms are value judgments that reflect modern values rather than the context of the time (1h34m37s).
• This criticism is part of a broader trend in history, where historians judge past actions by modern values and standards, rather than trying to understand the context and circumstances of the time (1h35m3s).
• This approach to history is seen as problematic, as it involves judging the past by modern standards and values, rather than trying to understand the complexities and nuances of historical events (1h35m21s).
• There are two forms of motivation for taking action on behalf of a group, one being that the individual's people were hard done by, and the other being that the individual wants to pursue a trade or intellectual pursuit to help the downtrodden in general or a specific group (1h36m24s).
• A study was conducted to investigate the hypothesis that women did not participate in big game hunting as much as men, but the study found that the data was manipulated and that women's contributions were undervalued (1h37m24s).
• The concept of the "soft bigotry of low expectations" can be applied to the idea that anything a man does is seen as inherently superior to what a woman does, and that this perspective is misogynistic (1h38m0s).
• The idea that women's work, such as child rearing and gathering, is less valuable than men's work, such as big game hunting, is a misogynistic perspective (1h38m30s).
• Big game hunting was likely net negative for energy, and it was more of a social exercise than a culinary one, whereas gathering and hunting smaller game was more practical and efficient (1h38m43s).
• The author of the book "Sapiens" by Yuval Noah Harari is criticized for making value judgments and expressing opinions rather than presenting historical facts in a neutral and scientific manner (1h39m18s).
• Historians should strive to present historical facts in a compelling way, based on the best evidence available, without making value judgments or expressing personal opinions (1h39m37s).
• The example of Henry the Fifth slaughtering 4,000 Frenchmen is given as an instance where a historian can present the facts without needing to make a value judgment, and that making such a judgment can be seen as signaling to a particular audience (1h39m50s).
• The concept of making value judgments about historical events, such as labeling them as "terrible" and bringing "shame" to a nation, can be seen as a form of internal tribe signaling, where individuals try to impress others by showing they are "hip" to a particular set of performative empathy (1h40m13s).
• This phenomenon is not limited to historical events, but can be observed in various professions, where individuals optimize their behavior and writing to appeal to a specific group or tribe within their field (1h40m50s).
• As institutions and hierarchies are built, people tend to strive for jobs or positions that allow them to maintain their status within their tribe, leading to a "purity spiral" where individuals become increasingly focused on appealing to their group (1h40m54s).
• This purity spiral can be seen in various industries, including universities and publishing, where individuals write and behave in ways that are designed to impress and appeal to their tribe, rather than seeking objective truth or knowledge (1h41m2s).

Dan’s Thoughts on Morally Condemning Our History (1h41m18s)

• The individual has been publishing historical works for around 20-25 years and has been open about their approach to history, which is not driven by a desire to morally condemn or align with specific groups (1h41m23s).
• They prioritize staying true to their values and being intellectually rigorous, rather than adhering to a fixed political ideology, which they believe can lead to a sacrifice of independence and intelligence (1h42m47s).
• Their work has covered a range of topics, including traditional historical works about royalty and battles, as well as more unconventional projects, such as a drama about Amberin with a black lead actress and a series of colorized photographs telling the story of women's history (1h43m4s).
• They are not driven by a desire to pursue a specific political agenda, but rather by a genuine interest in the stories they are telling, and they believe that this approach is essential to maintaining their intellectual rigor and independence (1h43m57s).
• They have noticed that the world is becoming increasingly tribal, with people seeking to align themselves with specific groups and ideologies, and they believe that this can lead to a lack of nuance and understanding in historical and cultural discussions (1h45m0s).
• They find politics fascinating from a human nature perspective, but do not feel the need to align themselves with specific ideologies or groups, and instead prioritize telling interesting and nuanced stories (1h44m32s).
• The concept of allies in politics is often associated with holding onto obscure or ridiculous beliefs, and individuals who adhere to these ideologies are seen as reliable allies, but this approach can be problematic as it prioritizes loyalty over critical thinking and reality (1h45m5s).
• This phenomenon is often driven by the desire to signal loyalty to one's own team and display opposition to the other side, and any deviation from the expected views can be seen as a lack of conviction or commitment (1h46m0s).
• The current state of politics in the UK and the US is characterized by bipartisan systems, but these coalitions are often uneasy and composed of individuals with diverse views, making it unlikely for anyone to agree with the entire package of views expressed by a particular party (1h47m2s).
• The idea that individuals can be categorized as either one thing or the other is flawed, as people's beliefs and thoughts are often idiosyncratic and deviate from the prescribed views of a particular party (1h48m5s).
• The concept of "mono thinking" refers to the idea that an individual's beliefs map onto the prescribed views of one party, but this is rare, and most people's views are complex and nuanced (1h48m14s).
• If someone's views can be accurately predicted based on one of their beliefs, it may indicate that they are not a serious thinker, but rather someone who is trying to signal loyalty or fit in with a particular group (1h48m37s).
• People are enjoying history because it feels more grounded, allowing them to focus on events that have already occurred and providing a sense of certainty in uncertain times (1h49m20s).
• History has a significant role to play in culture and politics, serving as a means of escape from the present and allowing individuals to think intellectually about the past without being overwhelmed by current anxieties (1h49m40s).
• A retreat into history can be a welcome place for people to exercise their minds and gain a better perspective on the world, recognizing themes and patterns inherent to human behavior over time (1h50m8s).
• The study of history provides a valuable skill set, including the ability to weigh evidence, make decisions free from ideology, and analyze complex moments in time (1h50m42s).
• History should be approached as a way of understanding what happened, rather than trying to validate a pre-existing theory or ideology, and should involve a balanced and nuanced consideration of evidence (1h50m57s).
• The skills and approaches used in the study of history, such as evidence-based analysis and respectful debate, would be beneficial in other fields and in discussions of the great issues of the day (1h51m47s).
• The current state of politics and internet discourse often lacks these qualities, and adopting a more historical approach to debate and analysis could be beneficial (1h52m9s).

The Never-Ending Now (1h52m12s)

• The concept of the "never-ending now" suggests that most of the content consumed today is created within the last 24 hours, making it difficult to maintain perspective and prioritize what is truly important (1h52m13s).
• The rapid pace of news and social media can create a sense of urgency and importance around current events, but this can be misleading and create a false sense of priority (1h52m45s).
• Reading history can provide a sense of perspective and help to alleviate the feeling of being overwhelmed by the constant stream of new information (1h52m58s).
• Looking at the bigger picture and considering the long-term cycles of history can help to put current events into perspective and reduce feelings of tension and anxiety (1h53m33s).
• The hybridization of human and machine minds is already happening, with humans becoming increasingly reliant on machines and algorithms to process information (1h54m16s).
• This hybridization can lead to a loss of nuance and critical thinking, as people become more focused on optimizing their thoughts and opinions for popularity on social media (1h55m16s).
• The algorithms used by social media platforms can create an environment in which extreme and polarized views are more likely to be popular, leading to a lack of nuance and critical thinking (1h55m26s).
• The human mind is highly plastic, and the constant exposure to social media and algorithms can shape our thoughts and opinions in ways that are not always beneficial (1h55m47s).
• The current societal state is such that people's minds are already fused, and they don't need a chip in their brain, just a phone in their pocket that buzzes in an addictive way (1h55m53s).
• The speaker has kids ranging from toddlers to teenagers and is displeased with some of the developments they are exposed to, feeling that the current technology is a step change in its addictive nature (1h56m23s).
• Every generation is concerned that the next one is broken, and this concern has been present throughout history, with worries about the printing press, music, radio, television, and other technologies (1h56m30s).
• The current technology is different in kind, not just degree, and has the ability to tap into and hijack people's behavior, playing on the dopaminergic system and creating compulsive behavior (1h56m55s).
• People are compulsively using their phones, even when they don't have a signal, and this behavior is similar to a hamster running on a wheel (1h57m16s).
• Looking back in 50 or 100 years, people may view the current situation with horror, similar to how they view factory farming, child labor, or other past practices (1h57m36s).
• Research suggests that exposing children to certain technologies, such as TikTok, may be harmful, and this has been a bad thing to have done (1h58m6s).
• The value of history can be seen in understanding the current communications revolution and its impact on society, with the advent of the printing press in the 15th century being a good comparator (1h58m25s).
• The printing press revolutionized communication, allowing people to communicate faster and more widely, but also led to the spread of outrageous and random ideas, as seen with characters like Martin Luther (1h58m45s).
• The increasing polarization of politics is attributed to the extreme publishing and communication revolution, which has led to a Reformation that is morally and politically divisive, resulting in a prolonged and bloody period in history (1h59m29s).
• The story of the Reformation is complex and does not have a happy ending, as it has led to increased divisiveness and bloodshed over time (1h59m50s).
• Understanding the Reformation and its historical context is essential for navigating the current world, as it provides a model for understanding the impact of significant events and technological advancements (2h0m14s).
• The lack of knowledge about historical events like the Reformation and the Industrial Revolution hampers one's ability to think critically and make informed decisions in the present (2h0m23s).
• The Reformation is compared to the current state of the world, suggesting that there may be parallels between the two, but without knowledge of historical events, it is difficult to draw meaningful connections (2h0m25s).
• The importance of being informed about historical events is emphasized, as it provides a framework for understanding and navigating the complexities of the modern world (2h0m32s).
• A book about Henry F is mentioned, with the author being praised for their writing style and the book being described as accessible and engaging (2h0m44s).
• The author's podcast is also recommended, with the suggestion that everyone should listen to it (2h0m48s).

Recommended Areas of History to Explore (2h0m53s)

• Ancient Greek and Roman worlds are areas of history that are particularly fascinating, although not much is known about them, and reading general books about these periods can be a great way to learn more (2h1m19s).
• Dominic Cummings' writing, such as his Substack, is worth reading due to his original thinking and interesting writing style, even for those who may not agree with his views (2h1m39s).
• Leo Tolstoy's works, such as "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina", are great examples of literature that can provide insight into the subtle workings of political groups and are best read slowly over a long period of time (2h2m2s).
• Reading Tolstoy's works can be a great way to disappear into another world and learn about 19th-century Russia, even for those who are not specialists in that historical period (2h2m35s).
• Tolstoy's writing has the ability to capture and render the world in a unique way, despite his own prejudices, and can be appreciated more by readers in their 40s who have experienced more of life (2h3m28s).
• 19th-century Russia, as depicted in Tolstoy's works, can be a great historical period to explore and learn about, and can serve as a "happy place" to escape to (2h4m7s).

Where to Find Dan (2h4m12s)

• Dan Jones writes a Substack called "History, Etc." which functions as his mailing list, where he shares updates on new books, tour dates, and podcast episodes, and also hosts a monthly Q&A session for engaged readers (2h4m18s).
• Dan Jones has a podcast called "This is History" that is released every Tuesday (2h4m39s).
• His books are available in all good bookstores (2h4m45s).
• Dan Jones is open to discussing the Black Death in a future episode of his podcast (2h4m57s).
• He is currently writing a novel set in 1350, a post-pandemic story that begins with the first encounter with the plague, based on a real incident (2h5m8s).
• His first two novels follow a group of soldiers in the 100 Years War, from the Battle of Crecy to the Siege of Calais in 1348 (2h5m22s).
• The story of his novel is inspired by a real event where a group of veterans escorted Joan, the daughter of Edward III, to Bordeaux, where she died of the plague (2h5m32s).
• The novel's prologue is set in Bordeaux, and the rest of the story takes place in 1350, in a world coming out of lockdown (2h6m11s).
• Dan Jones would like to discuss his novel and the Black Death in a future conversation when the book is released (2h6m23s).
• For viewers looking for a different historical perspective, a conversation with historian Rard Lynch is available by pressing a button to watch the video (2h6m35s).