Henry, tracing his descent from Edward III, has claimed the French crown. Assured by the Archbishop of Canterbury that right is on his side, and needled by the Dauphin’s insolence, he prepares for war. Two incidents momentarily dampen the sense of anticipation: a plot against the king’s life is discovered and dealt with, and Mistress Quickly gives a moving account of Falstaff’s death. But we soon return to the business at hand, seeing the indecision and disagreement at the French court before the Chorus transports us to Harfleur. Inspired by Henry’s appeal, the English storm the breach again, and the town, despairing of relief from the Dauphin, surrenders.

Weakened by disease, the army sets out for the English-held port of Calais but the French, eager for batter and numerically superior, bar the way. Henry chooses to fight rather than surrender, and the night before Agincourt, while wandering through his camp, is jolted into reality by discovering what his soldiers are thinking. After this brief interlude as a man, he becomes a King again and leads his depleted army to a crushing victory, Finally, the Duke of Burgundy oversees a peace conference at which the French King acknowledges Henry as his heir and gives him the hand of his daughter, Katharine.