SmartPass Audio Education Study Guide to Henry V (Unabridged, Dramatised) characters

First appears in chapter 2

The young king of England, whose former reputation for recklessness has given way to disciplined rule. He asks church and noble advisers to judge the legality of his claim to the French crown before committing the country to war.

Appears from the start

England's senior churchman and a learned advocate of Henry's hereditary claim in France. Concerned about a proposal to seize church property, he offers the king a detailed legal case and substantial financial support for a campaign.

First appears in chapter 2

Henry's uncle and a trusted English noble. He supports the French campaign and serves as one of the king's principal messengers and commanders.

First appears in chapter 6

The heir to the French throne. Confident in French strength and dismissive of Henry's claim, he regards the English king through the lens of Henry's unruly youth.

Also known as King of France

First appears in chapter 6

The French king and father of Katherine and the Dauphin. More cautious about Henry than his son is, he directs the defense of France as the English invasion approaches.

First appears in chapter 3

A boastful former companion of Falstaff who joins the expedition to France. He uses elaborate language to present himself as a brave soldier, although profit and self-preservation often guide him.

First appears in chapter 3

An associate of Pistol and Bardolph who has an old grievance against Pistol over Hostess Quickly. He joins the army after the men settle their immediate quarrel.

First appears in chapter 3

A red-faced tavern companion from Henry's earlier life who enlists with Pistol and Nym. He belongs to the comic group of common soldiers traveling to France.

Also known as Mistress Quickly

First appears in chapter 3

A London tavern keeper, now married to Pistol after earlier promises involving Nym. She reports Falstaff's failing health as the men prepare to leave for France.

Also known as Lord Scrope

First appears in chapter 4

A nobleman regarded as a close and trusted companion of Henry. At Southampton he is exposed as one of three conspirators who accepted French money to kill the king before the invasion.

First appears in chapter 8

A Welsh captain in Henry's army, knowledgeable about military practice and insistent on discipline. His seriousness and national pride place him in repeated disputes with less professional soldiers.

Also known as Princess Katherine

First appears in chapter 10

The daughter of the French king. As war reaches France, she asks her attendant Alice to teach her basic English words, anticipating that the language may become important to her future.

First appears in chapter 10

Katherine's attendant, who knows some English from time spent in England. She conducts the princess's language lesson and helps her practice unfamiliar vocabulary.

First appears in chapter 12

A French herald who carries formal messages between the armies. He delivers the French demand that Henry pay a ransom and later returns as the military situation changes.

First appears in chapter 14

An ordinary English soldier whom the disguised Henry meets on the night before battle. Williams speaks frankly about the soldiers' fears and questions how much responsibility a king bears for men who die in his cause.