King Henry VI – The pious, pitiful, plodding pilgrim!

Henry VI

1421-1471

‘His journey was not that of the average pilgrim!

The odyssey was awkward, hard and grim!’

Henry was born on December 6th 1421 at Windsor. He was never to know his father, Henry V, who was the very epitome of the warrior king. King Henry V died on campaign in France on August 31st of the following year. Although only an infant, Henry’s claim to the throne of England was not disputed, and his three uncles would act as regents until he came of age. Two months later on October 21st 1422, Henry became king of France when his grandfather, Charles VI died.

Charles VI, King of France.

‘As a babe in arms, Henry inherited not just one royal crown but two!

Most agreed that such a favourable blessing was nothing less than his rightful due!’

 Henry was the only king to be simultaneously monarch of both England and France.

                                                                                                           Henry VI crowned king of England in 1429.                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 

                                                       Henry VI crowned King of France at Notre Dame in December 1431.                                                      

Few kings of England have had such an auspicious beginning to their reign. However, Henry grew to be a well-intentioned, simple minded man who was easily manipulated by those around him. He was totally unsuited for regal leadership and would have been happier ensconced in the cloister as a monk.

‘Henry was not a man of  martial valour, who habitually performed many a daring deed!

He was more inclined to a holy life of peaceful prayer, and a book of psalms to read!’

He could not have been more unlike his father, Henry V. Henry VI’s time as king would not be happy and events distressed him to the extent that he became insane. Henry’s long reign ended tragically when he was murdered in 1471.

The situation in France in the late 1420s.

The situation in France was one of political and military stalemate. Little had changed since the death of Henry V in 1422. Without the late king’s inspiring leadership and steel like resolution, the great victories were somewhat less frequent. Nevertheless, the English under Henry VI’s uncle, the Duke of Bedford, had consolidated the gains made by Henry V. English forces were firmly in control of the area to the north of the Loire, whereas as the dauphin held sway to the south of the river.

The English encounter an unexpected French commander at Orleans .

In 1429, the Duke of Bedford besieged the town of Orleans. The Dauphin was greatly concerned, because if Orleans was to fall then his territories would be at risk from conquest by the English. Bedford was confident of victory at Orleans and felt that the final defeat of the Dauphin was simply a matter of time.

The siege of Orleans 1429.

In the event, Bedford’s siege was lifted by a French force led by a girl of 17. The young female commander would become known as Joan of Arc. This young woman would lead the French to further victories which enabled the Dauphin to travel to Rheims to be crowned king of France as Charles VII.

‘The Duke of Bedford fancied that the flag of England over Orleans, he would soon unfurl!

He did not count on the determination and skill of a young slip of a French girl!’

The English had suffered a very sudden, serious reversal of fortune from a most unexpected quarter. Who was this teenage girl that foiled the military aims of the seasoned battle commander, the Duke of Bedford?

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