In the Footsteps of Magna Charta - Chapter I
Henry V, King of England, had long wanted the war with France to end in favour of the English, as any sane ruler would have. Trained in the fine Arts of War, Henry had become a fine commander and he led his troops to victory in his own lands easily. Uprisings were dealt with quickly and once Henry had visited a region, rebellion was not a popular issue for years to come. England and the British isles lay secure and to the young king France would be his future battlefield. Having just arrived in the north of France, Henry had quickly fought and defeated any and all defensive armies that the French king had sent against him. With the sights set on the French city of Paris, Henry was very near the outcome of the war that he had longed for, for so many years.
England by the time Henry V leaves for France
French province of Caux, controlled by the English
January, Year of our Lord Fourteen Nineteen
Henry was pleased with himself. He had successfully gathered the lords that were in favour of a continued war with France until England had a firmer and more overwhelming presence in France. Those who had protested against his plans for a continued invasion of France had been skilfully left in England to uphold English supremacy on the isles while Henry was gone. He was quite sure that the lords knew they had been left behind on purpose instead of invited to the campaign, but at the same time grateful since he left them with quite the responsibility. Though a difficult choice, he also knew that if the nobles would in any way try to rebel against him while away, a standing army had been left in the hands of Parliament that could take care of any man with delusions of grandeur. Parliament was in one way untouchable, in another, a flock of sheep that could be slaughtered at the whim of the slaughterer. They were in no way no less ordinary than any other men, and could be easily replaced by a king if he so wished. However, if so they could become martyrs, enraging the populace and forcing the king to abdicate. In that aspect, they were not men that any one would like as his enemies. Henry was the first to try to influence them. Though not on his list of officials to pay, he had their confidence and trust. Sure, he had given them a very few individual privileges, but he could not see them as corrupted. Men of good taste, yes, that sounded very much better in his mind.
Bedford bowed graciously before his brother.
The next day the snow fell softly. No wind to distract the English army as it moved to its divided destination swept by, though the cold weather did its fair part. Compared to the milder but rainier winters in southern England, the continental weather of northern France was like a chock to the young king who had spent most of his years in England, this being his first time setting foot on French soil.
It took little time before the junction that split the two armies apart, one heading toward Amiens, the other to the French capital, was found, and Henry and Bedford exchanged words of good luck before they parted. They did not think they would see each other again until late summer since the town of Amiens, though not having a standing army for its defence, according to recent spying activities, was the major city in the region and was fortified with a fortified standard ring-wall. It gave a decent defence and kept attackers out. The taking of a town could be done by other means than all-out fighting. Henry wanted to spare any troops he could, especially experienced such, and preferred a waiting strategy unless the situation was dire and time was not a luxury that could be afforded. As the case was now though, waiting was preferred to attacking as the winter would make the storages of food drain more quickly and the city would be taken when the citizens gave up in desperation of supplies. With Burgundy to the east - while not an English ally, but neither a French ally and thus no reinforcements could arrive from there - Bedford’s flanks would be covered since Henry went south of him and so no help could be sent by the French from either direction. Amiens was at the mercy of the English.
Henry and Bedford depart to their respective destination,
Henry taking the larger part of the English army to defeat
the French on their own ground, and by their own capital
While gone, Parliament tried to boost finances in the home regions by appointing tax collectors. This was not very welcome by the local populace, but what really disliked them was the fact that while Henry had specifically instructed that while peasants were to be taxed, it could not go out of control, else he would have no country to come back to after his campaign in France. However, Parliament could not keep total control over the lords that sent their tax collectors all over their respective shires and demanded outrageous sums of money, or if the peasants could not pay with money, in livestock or else in kind. To finance the war the government needed money, and as plunder was taken by the soldiers and mercenaries instead of the king to feed the war effort, English peasants had little choice but to pay the extra taxes that were introduced.
Parliament introduces tax collectors in the most
populated shires across England to the horror of the
peasants and joy to the corrupted nobility
Chapter I
Henry V, King of England, had long wanted the war with France to end in favour of the English, as any sane ruler would have. Trained in the fine Arts of War, Henry had become a fine commander and he led his troops to victory in his own lands easily. Uprisings were dealt with quickly and once Henry had visited a region, rebellion was not a popular issue for years to come. England and the British isles lay secure and to the young king France would be his future battlefield. Having just arrived in the north of France, Henry had quickly fought and defeated any and all defensive armies that the French king had sent against him. With the sights set on the French city of Paris, Henry was very near the outcome of the war that he had longed for, for so many years.
England by the time Henry V leaves for France
French province of Caux, controlled by the English
January, Year of our Lord Fourteen Nineteen
‘Truly lord Sire, this is a fine plan indeed. With such brilliant leadership such as yours, our vic- your victory over France will be complete. No resistance will stand against our formidable troops.´
'Lord Duke Winter, your words are too kind. Still, yes I will imply that my plan is one of my greatest yet. With the French capital in English hands, the French will see no other way than to submit to English domination and we will see an expanded England.’
The other lords and gentlemen in the pavilion agreed to the king’s words in a collective mumbling.Henry was pleased with himself. He had successfully gathered the lords that were in favour of a continued war with France until England had a firmer and more overwhelming presence in France. Those who had protested against his plans for a continued invasion of France had been skilfully left in England to uphold English supremacy on the isles while Henry was gone. He was quite sure that the lords knew they had been left behind on purpose instead of invited to the campaign, but at the same time grateful since he left them with quite the responsibility. Though a difficult choice, he also knew that if the nobles would in any way try to rebel against him while away, a standing army had been left in the hands of Parliament that could take care of any man with delusions of grandeur. Parliament was in one way untouchable, in another, a flock of sheep that could be slaughtered at the whim of the slaughterer. They were in no way no less ordinary than any other men, and could be easily replaced by a king if he so wished. However, if so they could become martyrs, enraging the populace and forcing the king to abdicate. In that aspect, they were not men that any one would like as his enemies. Henry was the first to try to influence them. Though not on his list of officials to pay, he had their confidence and trust. Sure, he had given them a very few individual privileges, but he could not see them as corrupted. Men of good taste, yes, that sounded very much better in his mind.
'Your Majesty?’
The call woke Henry from his daydreaming. He looked around the pavilion and focused on Bedford who had enquired his presence. Bedford, a reliable man. The best general among the whole officers corps, and also his very own brother. No wonder he showed such brilliance. Relation to the king could only mean good things.‘Yes, what is it lord Duke Bedford? I was in the making of conquering France in my mind.’
The officers around him laughed, Bedford as well.‘His Majesty may do that in real life as well, and very soon, as soon as His Majesty would please give the assignments for the troops. We have attacked without a declaration of war, making the French outraged, and if we do not hurry we will lose the momentum to capture the French king.’
‘I am well aware of the situation lord Duke Bedford, you need not tell me the details as if I am a helpless poor woman. Last time I checked I was still schooled in the arts of war and tactics.’
It was impossible for anybody in the pavilion not to notice the irritation in the king’s voice. They knew all too well that it was not a good idea to upset the king, and it was hard to know when you would or would not. To be underestimated concerning intelligence was the worst thing Henry knew of, and he often thought that explanations of issues were unnecessary, already knowing most of the reasons for them. Many thought it was pride, especially when they met the king for the first time, but those who had been around for some time knew that more often then not it would not be so, for the king was actually skilled in most areas of social situations, strategic and military actions, and economic questions. It was in many cases amazing to those around him that the king could keep it all in his head when he had a whole country to manage. Nevertheless, it was a great relief and joy for the countless aides that swarmed around the king during meetings, that he was well informed of situations and could make decisions without long introductions and counselling of the problems and solutions. Although after all, he was the King of England and the most supreme person in the world, next to God Almighty of course. It was only expected of him to be skilled in a nation’s management, though few king’s before him had proven as able as Henry. And that was exactly what was so appealing to everybody, a king who could at last give the English what they deserved.Bedford bowed graciously before his brother.
‘I am truly sorry and do I seek the King’s forgiveness. I was just mentioning the situation from an officer’s view.’
‘Rise, brother. I need not tell you to remember next time to whom you speak to in the future, and that had it not been for me, we would not be in this situation at all.’
He placed a hand on Bedford’s shoulder to make him rise up. They equalled at length, both impressive and grand in their colourful outfits. Henry made his short way to the wooden table where a doubtfully accurate map of France had been rolled out. Henry eyed the wooden pieces representing his armies in northern and western France. Gascogne housed a small garrison of English troops, ready to defend and hold out a French attack, while the real push would come from the north where Henry was situated.‘Ile de France is where I will lead the major portion of our men to. I want you, lord Duke Bedford, to travel along the coast to the east and besiege the town of Amiens. Once the town has fallen, you will move south and assist me in taking Paris. And once that city has fallen, we will council again and decide how to move further south.’
‘So then the army will be divided between you and me, lord Sire? May I inquire how many shall be spared the siege of Paris?’
‘You will be given ten thousand men, lord Duke Bedford. That should be enough to deal with an undefended town of rubble, should it not? You will receive support in command by lord Duke Burke and lord Baron Summerfield.’
‘You are most kind, lord Sire.’
‘That is all. You may leave us. Bedford, Winter, stay.’
They all bowed to Henry before they took their leave.‘What do you need of us, lord Sire?’
Duke Winter’s voice was as deep and humming as he was tall and broad, which did not mean little. Towering over Henry with almost two feet, lord Earl Gabriel Winter, forty-six years old – and most of them spent in the military as expected from an officer family - was a truly dependable man, devoted to the royal house, and also the senior trainer of Henry’s own military training.‘I want you two to personally see to the immediate break of camp. I want all with exception of the cooks to start their packing. In the morning tomorrow, I want to break camp as quickly as possible. Lord Duke Bedford, you could have not been more correct with your statement that we need to move quickly before the French can organise a proper defence. Therefore, as few as possible must have chores to do, otherwise we’ll need the whole day before noon to even get moving. In times like these, even half a day does matter. I hope that you share my belief.’
‘Lord Sire, I shall have the men organised into their respective divisions, ready to divide up for tomorrow according to your instructions. The women and cooks will be the only one among the civilians to need time for breaking camp. The smiths and the other craftsmen and engineers will be ready already at this very evening.’
Henry thought the tent would envelop upon them when Winter spoke, his voice being so deep.‘Lord Duke Winter, I humbly request that you let me handle the troops, then you will be able to focus on the civilians,’ Bedford cut in.
‘You will divide the responsibility between yourselves. Just make sure it is so when we depart tomorrow morning. I do not care how it is made true, just that it is. You are excused.’
The next day the snow fell softly. No wind to distract the English army as it moved to its divided destination swept by, though the cold weather did its fair part. Compared to the milder but rainier winters in southern England, the continental weather of northern France was like a chock to the young king who had spent most of his years in England, this being his first time setting foot on French soil.
It took little time before the junction that split the two armies apart, one heading toward Amiens, the other to the French capital, was found, and Henry and Bedford exchanged words of good luck before they parted. They did not think they would see each other again until late summer since the town of Amiens, though not having a standing army for its defence, according to recent spying activities, was the major city in the region and was fortified with a fortified standard ring-wall. It gave a decent defence and kept attackers out. The taking of a town could be done by other means than all-out fighting. Henry wanted to spare any troops he could, especially experienced such, and preferred a waiting strategy unless the situation was dire and time was not a luxury that could be afforded. As the case was now though, waiting was preferred to attacking as the winter would make the storages of food drain more quickly and the city would be taken when the citizens gave up in desperation of supplies. With Burgundy to the east - while not an English ally, but neither a French ally and thus no reinforcements could arrive from there - Bedford’s flanks would be covered since Henry went south of him and so no help could be sent by the French from either direction. Amiens was at the mercy of the English.
Henry and Bedford depart to their respective destination,
Henry taking the larger part of the English army to defeat
the French on their own ground, and by their own capital
While gone, Parliament tried to boost finances in the home regions by appointing tax collectors. This was not very welcome by the local populace, but what really disliked them was the fact that while Henry had specifically instructed that while peasants were to be taxed, it could not go out of control, else he would have no country to come back to after his campaign in France. However, Parliament could not keep total control over the lords that sent their tax collectors all over their respective shires and demanded outrageous sums of money, or if the peasants could not pay with money, in livestock or else in kind. To finance the war the government needed money, and as plunder was taken by the soldiers and mercenaries instead of the king to feed the war effort, English peasants had little choice but to pay the extra taxes that were introduced.
Parliament introduces tax collectors in the most
populated shires across England to the horror of the
peasants and joy to the corrupted nobility
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