Agincourt, Battle of

25 October 1415

Fought between an English army, under Henry V, and a much larger French force, resulting in a decisive English victory, which opened the way for an English conquest of virtually all France.

The battle began with dense flights of arrows from the English archers. The heavily armoured French knights replied with a charge, but their horses sank into the muddy ground and their immobility made them an admirable target for their opponents. The battle was decided within about the first half-hour.

Contemporary records make it clear that Henry V had inspired his little army (which had previously marched for 17 days with only one days rest, covering 418 km in that time) with a religious patriotic fervour similar to that which Joan of Arc was subsequently to inspire the troops under her command. The French, on the other hand, were clearly over-confident. The battle was ruthless; at one point Henry ordered that no prisoners must be taken. French losses were said to have been about 10,000 killed and 1,000 prisoners, including Charles, Duke of Orléans. English losses were probably a few hundred. Henry V showed great personal bravery in the battle.

© JM Dent/Historybookshop.com

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