King Charles VI of France

Play

Henry V

Summary

King Charles VI of France is the reigning French monarch who initially resists Henry V's sweeping territorial claims, relying on the vaunted superiority of the French army. After the catastrophic French defeat at Agincourt, where the flower of French chivalry is slaughtered by Henry's smaller English force, Charles is compelled to negotiate. The play ends with the Treaty of Troyes, by which Charles agrees to Henry's marriage to his daughter Katherine and names Henry heir to the French throne — a complete capitulation that fulfils all of Henry's demands.

Notable Quotations

"Therefore, great King, / We yield our town and lives to thy soft mercy." *(Henry V, 3.3 — Governor of Harfleur's surrender, which Charles's representative must ultimately also make)*

"Take her, fair son, and from her blood raise up / Issue to me, that the contending kingdoms / Of France and England...may cease their hatred." *(Henry V, 5.2 — Charles conceding the treaty and the marriage)*

Cross-references

• Henry V — the play
• Histories — the genre
• character_prince_hal — King Henry V, his conqueror and son-in-law
• character_dauphin — the Dauphin, his son
• character_exeter_henry5 — Duke of Exeter, who delivers Henry's ultimatum