Henry V is set prior to, during, and after the battle of Agincourt in 1415. At the beginning of the play, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of Ely discuss an upcoming bill that threatens to strip the Church of its wealth.

Both clergymen wish to divert King Henry's attention away from the bill. Canterbury reveals that he has made an irresistible offer to Henry: a sizable gift to enrich the royal coffers. However, the Ambassador of France has sought Henry’s audience. So, the two clergymen must dismiss their concerns for the moment. They leave to go to the throne room.

There, Henry is conferring with the dukes of Gloucester, Bedford, Clarence, Warwick, Westmoreland, and Exeter. The king wants to know if he can justify his claim to the French throne on legal and religious grounds. Canterbury offers a lengthy explanation supporting Henry’s claim. He maintains that the French Salic law poses no threat to Henry.

Accordingly, the law is based on the Pharamond Rule: “In terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant” (No woman shall succeed in Salic land). However, Canterbury says that Salic land is actually located in Germany, not France. Canterbury also argues that many French kings have descended from the female line. Thus, Henry—the descendant of a French princess—has as much right to the French crown as his royal peers across the channel.

Both Canterbury and Ely remind Henry that he is also descended from a long line of warriors, so they encourage him to fight for what belongs to him. Satisfied by what he hears, Henry motions for the French ambassador to be brought in.

The French ambassador tells Henry that he brings a message from the Dauphin, not King Charles. Essentially, the Dauphin rebuffs Henry’s claim to the French throne and, as an insult, gives Henry a set of tennis balls. The Dauphin’s ill-fated actions steel Henry’s heart. He resolves to attack France and wrest the crown from King Charles.

The scene then shifts to Henry’s friends from his youth: Bardolph, Nym, and Pistol. Nym and Pistol are at odds. Nym is furious that Pistol has married Mistress Quickly, the woman he was engaged to. Bardolph tries to intervene to prevent a duel between the two.

In the end, Nym and Pistol forge an uneasy truce based on material considerations. Their servant, referred to as “Boy,” then announces that Sir John Falstaff, another of Henry’s former friends, is dying. Mistress Quickly says that Henry is to blame, for he rejected Falstaff after ascending to the throne.

In the palace, Henry discovers a plot against his life. Three noblemen—Cambridge, Scrope, and Grey—plan to kill Henry in Southampton. However, Henry catches the three in a trap. He then has them executed for treason and makes preparations to sail for France.

In London, Bardolph, Pistol, and Nym mourn the death of Sir John Falstaff before leaving for France.

Meanwhile, King Charles VI confers with the Dauphin and his advisers. The Dauphin believes that Henry is weak, but the others disagree. Charles says that they must remember the Battle of Crecy, when the English captured all the princes of France. The English are formidable fighters and must not be underestimated.

Meanwhile, the duke of Exeter arrives from England. He tells Charles that the latter must give up his crown or risk the consequences. Charles tells Exeter that he will give him his answer the next day.

Meanwhile, Henry lays siege to Harfleur. Captains Gower, Fluellen, Jamy, and MacMorris lead the siege effort. Playing for time, Charles VI offers Henry his daughter Katherine’s hand in marriage and several small dukedoms. However,...