Henry at Agincourt

Summary

BBC Television presentation of ‘A sequence from William Shakespeare’s Henry V devised for broadcasting on the eve of St George’s Day’ (Radio Times 20 April 1956, p. 12).

Theatre play

King Henry V by William Shakespeare [more information]

Play synopsis

'Soon after his accession to the throne King Henry V is considering asserting his right to rule France as well as England. Consulting the Archbishop of Canterbury as to the justness of his claim, he receives a gift of tennis balls sent by the dauphin - a scornful jibe at his youth, which spurs him on to the invasion of France. The king’s former companions from his days in the Eastcheap tavern hear of the death of Sir John Falstaff from Hostess Quickly. They take their leave of her and set out to join Henry’s army. Despite the dauphin’s insistence that Henry is an unworthy opponent, the French king receives the English ambassadors but finally rejects Henry’s claim to the crown. Henry’s forces besiege and then take the town of Harfleur. While her father rouses his nobles to retaliation, Princess Katherine begins to learn English with the help of her companion Alice. Following the victory at Harfleur, the English forces begin a retreat through Normandy on account of the poor condition of the men, who are disheartened by sickness and foul weather. Even so, Henry rejects the French Herald’s offer of ransom and the two armies prepare to fight. On the eve of the battle of Agincourt, Henry tours the camp in disguise and, sounding out the opinions of his men, is led to consider the heavy responsibilities of kingship. In the French camp, by contrast, confidence is high. As battle is joined, Henry rallies his troops and places them all in God’s hands. An English victory is confirmed, with miraculously small losses. As part of the subsequent treaty, Henry woos and wins Katherine to ensure the linking of the two countries through marriage’ (source: http://www.rscshakespeare.co.uk/henryV.html, accessed 13 November 2012).

Production history

First performed c. 1599.

Date of transmission

Sunday 22 April 1956

Time

9.15pm (50 mins)

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

John Gibson

Playwright

William Shakespeare

Cast

Richard Bebb	Duke of Gloucester / Earl of Westmoreland
Richard Burton	King Henry the Fifth
Hamilton Dyce	Duke of Bedford
John Gabriel	Pistol
Peter Howell	Montjoy
Dudley Jones	Fluellen
Martin Lewis	Sir Thomas Erpingham
Geoffrey Matthews	Bates / Duke of York
George Merritt	Gower
John Neville	Chorus
Olaf Pooley	Earl of Salisbury
Richard Williams	Duke of Exeter
Manning Wilson	Williams

Additional details

Play tags

15th-century setting; France, as theme or setting; historical drama; royalty

Print sources

Title

Radio Times, 20 April 1956 (Magazine)

Linking notes

illustrated listing on p. 12