The Hundred Years War Vol 5

Jonathan Sumption's fifth volume in his monumental series on the Hundred Years War covers the pivotal period from 1399 to 1422, a span that witnessed both the zenith of English military success and the seeds of its eventual unraveling. "Triumph and Illusion" examines the reign of Henry V, whose brief but spectacular military campaigns created the illusion of permanent English dominance in France, while simultaneously revealing the fundamental weaknesses that would ultimately doom the English cause.

The volume opens with the deposition of Richard II and the accession of Henry IV, setting the stage for the dramatic transformation of English fortunes under his son. Sumption demonstrates his characteristic mastery of archival sources, drawing on English, French, and Burgundian records to construct a nuanced narrative that moves beyond traditional national perspectives. His treatment of the complex diplomatic maneuvering that preceded Henry V's invasion of France in 1415 illustrates the interconnected nature of late medieval European politics, where dynastic claims, personal ambitions, and financial necessities created a volatile mix of motivations.

The Battle of Agincourt naturally occupies a central place in the narrative, but Sumption approaches this celebrated engagement with scholarly caution rather than patriotic enthusiasm. He dissects the tactical decisions, logistical challenges, and sheer contingency that shaped the battle's outcome, while placing it within the broader context of Henry V's strategic objectives. The author makes clear that Agincourt, despite its symbolic importance, was but one step in a longer campaign that would see Henry adopt a methodical strategy of conquest through siege warfare rather than relying on the uncertainties of pitched battle.

Sumption's analysis of the Treaty of Troyes in 1420 represents some of his finest work. He examines how this extraordinary agreement, which effectively disinherited the French dauphin and made Henry V heir to the French throne, emerged from the fractured political landscape of France. The civil war between Armagnacs and Burgundians had created conditions where such a radical settlement became conceivable, yet Sumption carefully documents how the treaty's apparent comprehensiveness masked fundamental problems of enforcement and legitimacy that would plague English rule in France.

The author excels in his treatment of the French perspective, refusing to reduce the conflict to a simple story of English aggression and French resistance. The role of the Burgundian alliance receives particular attention, as Sumption traces how Duke John the Fearless and his successor Philip the Good pursued their own agenda, using the English connection to advance Burgundian interests rather than serving as mere auxiliaries to Henry V's ambitions. The murder of John the Fearless at Montereau in 1419 emerges as a crucial turning point that pushed Burgundy firmly into the English camp, yet also created tensions that would eventually contribute to the alliance's collapse.

Sumption brings the same rigorous approach to administrative and financial matters as he does to military campaigns. His examination of how both English and French governments struggled to fund prolonged warfare reveals the economic strains that limited strategic options and shaped political decisions. The English occupation of Normandy and the attempt to establish functioning governance in conquered territories receives detailed treatment, showing both the ambitions and limitations of English rule.

The volume concludes with the deaths of both Henry V and the French king Charles VI in 1422, a double demise that transformed the political landscape. Sumption's analysis makes clear that Henry's death, coming at the apparent moment of English triumph, exposed the illusory nature of that success. The English position in France, seemingly unassailable in 1420, rested on the personal authority and military reputation of one man, on the fragile Burgundian alliance, and on the continued divisions within France itself.

Throughout the volume, Sumption maintains his reputation for narrative clarity and analytical precision. The complex web of alliances, betrayals, and military operations is rendered comprehensible without sacrificing historical complexity. His prose remains accessible while dealing with sophisticated questions of causation and interpretation. The extensive endnotes demonstrate the depth of research underlying the narrative, though the main text never becomes bogged down in scholarly apparatus.

"Triumph and Illusion" stands as an essential contribution to understanding this critical phase of the Hundred Years War. Sumption successfully captures both the drama of Henry V's achievements and the deeper structural factors that ensured those achievements would prove temporary. The volume maintains the high standards established in earlier installments while advancing the series toward its ultimate conclusion. For readers seeking a comprehensive, balanced, and scholarly account of this pivotal period, this work remains indispensable.