Let us imagine an alternate history where Henry V survives his illness in 1422 and continues to reign until 1450. This additional 28 years could have changed the course of European history dramatically.

1. Consolidation of Anglo-French Rule

With more time and military strength, Henry V might have fully secured his claim to the French throne. The Dauphin Charles would likely have been defeated or forced into permanent exile. Henry had already shown the capacity to win over French nobles through diplomacy and might have gradually pacified France, especially if he used native institutions to rule rather than imposing English control too harshly.

With the continued support of the Burgundians — who allied with Henry after the assassination of Duke John the Fearless — he might have slowly integrated the French and English administrations under a dual monarchy. This would have created a powerful Anglo-French empire stretching from Scotland to the Pyrenees.

2. A Stronger, More Unified England

Domestically, a longer reign would have stabilized English politics. Henry V had already reined in the power of feuding nobles and created a sense of national unity. His continued leadership might have prevented the rise of powerful aristocratic factions that later fueled the Wars of the Roses.

Henry VI’s tragic weakness as a ruler played a large part in England’s collapse into civil war. In contrast, Henry V's strong personality, military discipline, and political acumen would likely have ensured a more centralized, efficient government.

3. Avoidance of the Wars of the Roses

Perhaps the most striking result of Henry V’s continued reign would be the potential prevention of the Wars of the Roses (1455–1487), a brutal series of dynastic conflicts that devastated England. These wars arose from weak kingship, factional rivalries, and disputes over the throne. A powerful and respected monarch like Henry V could have cemented the legitimacy of the Lancastrian line and avoided the political vacuum that allowed Yorkist ambitions to flourish.

Without the Wars of the Roses, England might have experienced earlier political stability, economic development, and possibly even a Renaissance of its own, similar to what occurred in Italy and France. shutdown123