The Famous Victories of Henry V: A Retelling

Young Prince Henry, who was the son of King Henry IV of England, and his companions Ned and Tom had just finished robbing some English citizens. The citizens were two receivers who collected tax and rent money for King Henry IV. “Come away, Ned and Tom!” Prince Henry said. “Let’s go!” “Here we are, my Lord,” Ned and Tom said. “Come away, my lads,” Prince Henry repeated, and then he added, “Tell me, sirs, how much gold have you gotten?” “Indeed, my Lord,” Ned said. “I have gotten five hundred pounds.” “But tell me, Tom,” Prince Henry said, “how much have you gotten?” “Truly, my Lord,” Tom said, “some four hundred pounds.” “Four hundred pounds?” Prince Henry said. “Bravely spoken, lads! But tell me, sirs, don’t you think it was villainous of me to rob my father’s receivers?” A receiver receives money on behalf of another person; a receiver can be a treasurer. These receivers were tax and rent collectors. “Why, no, my Lord,” Ned said. “It was only youthful tomfoolery.” “Indeed, Ned, you say the truth,” Prince Henry said, and then he added, “But tell me, sirs, whereabouts are we?” “My Lord,” Tom replied, “we are now about a mile from London.” “But, sirs,” Prince Henry said, “I marvel that Sir John Oldcastle has not come away from the scene of the crime.”