During the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, Henry V, the young king of England, leads his forces to victory at the Battle of Agincourt in northern France …
… The English stood their ground as French knights, weighed down by their heavy armor, began a slow advance across the muddy battlefield. The French were met by a furious bombardment of artillery from the English archers, who wielded innovative longbows with a range of 250 yards …
Almost 6,000 Frenchmen lost their lives during the Battle of Agincourt, while English deaths amounted to just over 400. With odds greater than three to one, Henry had won one of the great victories of military history. After further conquests in France, Henry V was recognized in 1420 as heir to the French throne and the regent of France. He was at the height of his powers but died just two years later of camp fever near Paris.
“The Battle of Agincourt,” October 25, 1415 in This Day in History, October 25, 2023.
Image credits: “Battle of Agincourt,” Antoine Leduc, Sylvie Leluc et Olivier Renaudeau (dir.), D’Azincourt à Marignan. Chevaliers et bombardes, 1415-1515, Paris, Gallimard/ Musée de l’armée, 2015, p. 18-19, Public Domain. For quoted text, see This Day in History.
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Thank you fort this bit of History, Robert:). Once studied and known, but very “hazily” remembered:)
St. Crispin’s is an interesting feast. Check it out.
Love Branagh’s version of the St. Crispin’s Day speech. In fact, his “Henry V” is wonderful in general!
Agreed. Too bad St. Crispin’s feast day was removed from the sanctoral calendar after VC II.