Henry's Wars and Shakespeare's Laws

• The legal environment; the war of rights - just war, jus ad bellum and jus in bello; declarations of war and truce agreements; responsibility of princes; the siege of Harfleur and treatment of occupied territory - the limits of protection - at the walls of Harfleur, mercy, hostages, Harfleur's surrender, deporting the French and settling the English, sack and massacre, privileged categories of inhabitants and Henry's ordinances, lost of privileged status - women and clergy, treatment of cities conquered after siege, treatment of commanders who surrendered to adversaries, denials of quarter, rape of women, pillage and Church property, compelling obedience by destruction, Henry's proscriptions and the Medieval army; Henry's challenge to the Dauphin - the duel that never was and games of chivalry; Medieval and Renaissance ordinances of war - codifying discipline and humanity, Agincourt - prisoners of war, reprisals and necessity; heralds, ambassadors and the Treaty of Troyes; rebels.

`Impressively realized ... he makes a refreshing contribution to the `conflicted arena' (is that the phrase ?) of Shakespeare studies.'The Times Literary Supplement