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Today in 1415: At the height of the Hundred Years War, Henry V of England lead the outnumbered English army to an unexpected victory over the forces of King Charles VI of France just outside the French town of Azincourt. It is most famous for the display of the
powerful English longbow, the primary weapon of Henry's forces. The destruction rained upon the French knights is said to have wiped out entire generations of noble families. In total it is estimated that some 6000 French were killed by English arrows, while barely 100 English
soldiers died.People of England, cease your work and pray,
For the glorious victory of Crispin's day;
Despite their scorn for Englishmen's renown,
The odious might of France came crashing down.
The battle of Agincourt marked the resumption of and a turning point in the Hundred
For the glorious victory of Crispin's day;
Despite their scorn for Englishmen's renown,
The odious might of France came crashing down.
The battle of Agincourt marked the resumption of and a turning point in the Hundred
Years War. The resultant chaos of an English victory encouraged the Burgundians to eagerly resume their own conflict with the French and within 5 years of the victory at Agincourt, Henry found himself heir apparent to the throne of France by the will of his new father-in-law,
Charles VI.
Although Henry died at the young age of 35, less than a month before Charles VI's own passing, his infant son was proclaimed Henry VI and II of England and France and England, for the first time in nearly 50 years, once again ruled France.
Although Henry died at the young age of 35, less than a month before Charles VI's own passing, his infant son was proclaimed Henry VI and II of England and France and England, for the first time in nearly 50 years, once again ruled France.
However, all good things must come to an end. A young French maiden took up the sword against her English conquerors and set in motion the events which would end the war once and for all in a French victory. Although English monarchs would claim the French throne until as late as
As late as the 19th century, they would never again fight for it.
Henry V's French campaign and the battle of Agincourt itself, was immortalised by Shakespeare in the final play of his Henriad tetraology. Shakespeare's portrayal of stoic courage in the face of overwhelming odds - particularly Henry's famous "Saint Crispin's Day" speech -
has stood the test of time as a means of rallying the British in times of war and disaster.
