King Henry V: Motivational Speaker

Henry V of England was one of the worlds greatest pitchmen and I can prove it.

This young King was fiercely competitive and a guy who knew how important preparation and motivation is to achieving a goal.

In 1415 at the ripe old age of 28, he led England’s army into the Battle of Agincourt with not enough men against an opponent who was defending their home soil, better equipped, had fresh horses, better food and entire list of reasons that they would kick the crap out of the King and every man fighting for England that day. According to legend and William Shakespeare’s play Henry V, on the eve of the battle this King did some homework.

He dressed like a regular soldier and wandered around the camp listening to what the soldiers had to say about the ensuing battle. Each of the soldiers expected certain defeat. The were tired, hungry and away from home and most of the men thought the brave King had lost his marbles.

The next day was October 25th, Saint Crispin’s Day and as the King would have it, the day would no longer be remembered by the Saint it had been named after:.

According to Shakespeare, the King delivered this speech to the troops:

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

King Henry and his army won the battle that day and defeated the French with a combination of skill, planning, preparation, motivation and some would say a little luck.

Remember that motivation is a strong force and if the task ahead of you was simple, there would be no glory in the success!

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers


Mitch Drew


This post was inspired by the book:

Shakespeare in Charge: The Bard's Guide to Leading and Succeeding on the Business Stage
by Normand R. Augustine, Kenneth L. Adelman

CLICK HERE TO BUY IT NOW