Paper 3, Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 2 Henry V and the conquest of France, 1413–21 — Edexcel A-Level History
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Paper 3, Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 2 Henry V and the conquest of France, 1413–21 explained
Paper 3, Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 2 Henry V and the conquest of France, 1413–21 covers 3 specification points, including The significance of renewing the war with… and The significance of the challenge from….
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Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
The significance of renewing the war with France and the campaign of 1415.
Henry V’s decision to renew the war with France in 1415 was significant for several reasons. It united the English nobility behind the king, provided an outlet for martial ambition, and aimed to secure his claim to the French throne. The campaign of 1415, culminating in the Battle of Agincourt, was a remarkable military success against overwhelming odds. This victory enhanced Henry’s prestige, strengthened his position at home, and paved the way for further conquests. The renewal of war also had diplomatic and economic implications, including alliances and the financing of campaigns. Understanding the significance involves assessing the motives, the course of the campaign, and its short- and long-term consequences for England and France.
The significance of the challenge from Lollardy and the royal response.
Lollardy was a religious movement inspired by John Wycliffe, whose ideas questioned Church authority, the sacraments and the clergy. After the 1401 statute De heretico comburendo, heresy became a capital offence, so Lollardy posed a political as well as a religious challenge. Under Henry V, the challenge was significant because it threatened the unity of the Church and could be linked to rebellion, as in the 1414 Oldcastle rising. The royal response combined suppression with orthodoxy: heresy trials, executions and support for the established Church. Students should assess how far Lollardy was a serious threat and how effectively the Crown responded, using evidence such as Oldcastle’s escape and later capture. The significance lies in the Crown’s use of religious authority to reinforce political control.
The importance of the Burgundian Alliance 1419; the significance of the conquest of Normandy and the Treaty of Troyes, 1417–20: the basis, impact and cost of success.
The conquest of Normandy (1417–19) was highly significant, providing Henry V with a secure territorial base and demonstrating his military effectiveness. Following this, the Burgundian Alliance of 1419 was crucial; after the murder of John the Fearless, it removed a major French ally from the Valois cause and gave Henry a powerful partner. This diplomatic advantage paved the way for the Treaty of Troyes in 1420. The treaty recognised Henry as heir to Charles VI and arranged his marriage to Catherine of Valois, but excluded the dauphin. Students must assess the basis of this success, its impact on the crowns, and the heavy financial and political costs that made the settlement fragile.
Your focus
- Describe the key events of the 1415 campaign, including the Battle of Agincourt.
- Explain the reasons why Henry V renewed the war with France.
- Evaluate the significance of the campaign for Henry V’s reign and the Hundred Years’ War.
Show all 9 objectives
- Explain the nature and extent of the Lollard challenge to the Church and Crown.
- Analyse the significance of the royal response to Lollardy under Henry V.
- Evaluate how far Lollardy threatened political stability in England.
- Explain the importance of the Burgundian Alliance of 1419 for Henry V’s French campaign.
- Analyse the significance of the conquest of Normandy and the Treaty of Troyes, 1417–20.
- Evaluate the basis, impact and cost of Henry V’s success in France.
Paper 3, Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 2 Henry V and the conquest of France, 1413–21 exam tips
Marking Points
- Explain Henry V’s motives for renewing the war: claim to the French throne, domestic unity, and pressure from the nobility.
- Describe the campaign of 1415: the siege of Harfleur, the march to Agincourt, and the battle itself.
- Analyse the significance of the campaign: military success, propaganda value, and impact on English morale.
- Assess the consequences of renewing the war: financial costs, diplomatic realignments, and the Treaty of Troyes (1420).
- Evaluate the extent to which the campaign of 1415 was a turning point in the Hundred Years’ War.
- Explains the origins and core beliefs of Lollardy, including Wycliffe’s criticism of the Church and its sacraments.
- Explains the legal context: De heretico comburendo (1401) made heresy punishable by burning, giving the Crown and Church tools for suppression.
- Explains the political dimension: Lollardy became linked with rebellion, especially the 1414 Oldcastle rising, which raised fears of disorder.
- Explains the royal response: Henry V supported heresy trials, executions and the suppression of Lollard networks, while presenting himself as a defender of orthodoxy.
- Assesses significance: Lollardy was a limited but real challenge that justified stronger royal action against heresy and helped consolidate Lancastrian religious authority.
- Explains the significance of the conquest of Normandy 1417–20: Henry’s campaign secured key towns, providing a base for further conquest and strengthening his bargaining position.
- Explains the importance of the 1419 Burgundian Alliance: it isolated the dauphin and gave Henry V a crucial ally after the murder of John the Fearless.
- Explains the Treaty of Troyes 1420: Henry was recognised as heir to Charles VI and married Catherine of Valois, but the dauphin was disinherited.
- Explains the basis of success: military victories, diplomatic divisions among the French, and Henry’s ability to present himself as a legitimate heir.
- Explains the impact and cost of success: the treaty created a dual monarchy in theory, but required ongoing war, heavy taxation and garrisons.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Structure your answer around the significance of both the decision to renew war and the 1415 campaign.
- 💡Use contemporary evidence, such as chronicles or financial records, to support your points.
- 💡Link the campaign to its longer-term consequences, such as the Treaty of Troyes.
- 💡Plan your answer around the concept of significance: identify what made Lollardy a challenge and then evaluate how serious it was.
- 💡Use specific evidence, such as the 1414 Oldcastle rising and the 1401 statute, to support your argument rather than general statements.
- 💡Link the royal response to Henry V’s wider aims, including his need for domestic stability before and during the French wars.
- 💡Structure your answer around the three elements in the statement: the alliance, the conquest and the treaty, then assess their basis, impact and cost.
- 💡Evaluate both short-term success and long-term fragility, linking the treaty’s terms to later financial and military problems.
Common Mistakes
- Error: Focusing solely on Agincourt and ignoring the wider campaign. Correction: Include the siege of Harfleur and the strategic context.
- Error: Treating the renewal of war as solely a military venture. Correction: Consider political, economic, and diplomatic factors.
- Error: Assuming the campaign was an unqualified success. Correction: Acknowledge the costs, such as the heavy casualties from disease at Harfleur.
- Treating Lollardy as a purely religious issue and ignoring its political significance; correction: link Lollard beliefs to fears of rebellion and social disorder.
- Assuming Lollardy was a mass movement; correction: recognise it was a minority movement, strongest among certain gentry, clergy and urban groups, but still significant to the Crown.
- Confusing the royal response with only parliamentary legislation; correction: include the Crown’s active role in trials, executions and support for the Church’s campaign.
- Treating the Treaty of Troyes as a complete victory; correction: recognise it excluded the dauphin and required continued military effort to enforce.
- Ignoring the financial cost of the conquest; correction: include the expense of garrisons, administration and further campaigns, which strained English resources.
- Confusing the chronology of events; correction: remember that the conquest of Normandy largely preceded the 1419 Burgundian Alliance, which then facilitated the 1420 Treaty of Troyes.