The King: Historical Analysis of Netflix Medieval Drama

Introduction

The King, released on Netflix in October 2019, is a historical drama directed by David Michôd and produced by Plan B Entertainment alongside Joel Edgerton and Brad Pitt. Loosely inspired by William Shakespeare’s Henriad, the film follows the reluctant heir Prince Hal as he ascends to the English throne as Henry V. With Timothée Chalamet in the lead role, the film garnered attention for its moody cinematography, intense battle scenes, and blend of Shakespearean dialogue with original storytelling.

Overview/Plot Summary

The narrative opens in the taverns of London, where Prince Hal revels with his companion Falstaff, shirking his royal duties. When King Henry IV names Hal’s younger brother Thomas as heir, Hal finds himself at odds with both his family and his destiny. In a pivotal moment, he slays the rebel Hotspur on the battlefield, altering the line of succession. After Thomas’s death and Henry IV’s passing, Hal becomes King Henry V and inherits a fractured kingdom. Spurred by an insulting gift of tennis balls from the French court, Henry declares war on France. He quashes inland rebellions by executing traitors and lays siege to Harfleur. His army then achieves a stunning—and brutal—victory at Agincourt, after which Henry orders the killing of prisoners to secure his hold on power. Finally, through negotiation with Charles VI, Henry secures his marriage to Catherine of Valois and the promise of French lands, only to uncover a web of deceit orchestrated by his ministers.

Fact vs Fiction Analysis

Henry V (Hal): The film’s portrayal of Hal’s transformation from prodigal prince to hardened monarch is drawn more from Shakespeare’s plays than from direct chronicles. Historically, Henry V (1386–1422) earned praise for his chivalry and piety; contemporary writers such as Jean de Waurin describe him as just and magnanimous, in contrast to the merciless commander depicted during the post-Agincourt massacre.

The French Dauphin (Louis): Robert Pattinson’s Dauphin is presented as the film’s chief antagonist, mocking, effete, and personally delivering the tennis ball insult. In reality, the title passed to Louis, Duke of Guyenne (1397–1415), who died of dysentery shortly after Agincourt and did not lead armies or engage in personal taunts.

Catherine of Valois: The reserved bride in The King bears little resemblance to the teenage Catherine (1401–1437), who married Henry on 2 June 1420—nearly five years after Agincourt—under the terms of the Treaty of Troyes. While the film hints at genuine affection, letters from the period emphasise her initial reluctance and the political necessity of the alliance.

Sir John Falstaff: Though named after the real Sir John Fastolf (1380–1459), Shakespeare’s Falstaff is a fictional composite. There is no historical record of a boisterous companion to Prince Hal who influenced royal decisions or fought at Agincourt.

Events & Timelines

The film condenses and reorders several key historical moments to maintain dramatic momentum. It opens with Hal confronting and slaying Hotspur in a skirmish presented as the Battle of Shrewsbury, although in reality, that engagement on 21 July 1403 saw Prince Hal fight alongside his father rather than face Hotspur one‑on‑one. The movie then attributes the death of Thomas, Prince of Wales, to an unspecified campaign before Hal’s coronation—a device to heighten emotional stakes—whereas Thomas of Lancaster survived until 1421, falling at the Battle of Baugé.

Henry IV’s demise and Hal’s coronation follow swiftly in the film, aligning loosely with the true succession: Henry IV died on 20 March 1413, and Henry V was crowned on 9 April 1413. The notorious “tennis balls” insult, delivered personally by the Dauphin in the narrative, was in reality a matter of courtly mockery by minor envoys rather than a formal casus belli.

The siege of Harfleur is depicted as a rapid, month‑long siege, yet historically it raged from 18 August to 22 September 1415, with dysentery wreaking havoc on both sides. The climactic Battle of Agincourt unfolds on 25 October 1415, portrayed on deceptively gentle terrain; in truth, mud and narrow fields severely hampered the French, amplifying the role of English longbowmen. Although the film shows Henry ordering a swift massacre of prisoners, chroniclers confirm that such brutal measures were debated and executed to prevent counterattacks.

Finally, the film suggests Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Valois and his recognition as heir to France occur in immediate succession to Agincourt. Historically, the Treaty of Troyes was not signed until 21 May 1420, and their marriage took place on 2 June 1420, nearly five years after the battle, formalising Henry’s claim under complex diplomatic terms.

Themes & Cultural Commentary

At its core, The King examines power, loyalty, and identity. Hal’s journey from wayward heir to decisive ruler underscores the burdens of kingship. Courtly betrayals by Cambridge and Grey, and even within Henry’s council, highlight the fragility of medieval loyalties. The film touches on faith, presenting grand religious ceremonies more as spectacle than the driving force they were in 15th-century politics. Modern viewers may find the moral conflict over prisoner executions resonant, though real medieval norms permitted such actions under the chivalric code.

Timeline Cross‑View

• Battle of Shrewsbury: 21 July 1403 (Hal slays Hotspur analogue)

• Death of Henry IV: 20 March 1413

• Siege of Harfleur: August–September 1415

• Battle of Agincourt: 25 October 1415

• Marriage to Catherine: 2 June 1420

Further Recommendations: The BBC’s The Hollow Crown, Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V (1989) and the video game A Plague Tale: Innocence provide varied takes on similar periods and themes.