Watch The Battle Of Agincourt In 60 Seconds

The video above shows one of England’s greatest military victories at the Battle Of Agincourt on the 25th of October 1415.

The English forces were outnumbered at least 2:1, yet still managed to crush the French primarily because of the use of longbows.

Here’s a summary of the battle:

Lead-Up to the Battle of Agincourt

Early 15th Century Context:

• The Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) was a prolonged series of conflicts between the Kingdoms of England and France, primarily over claims to the French throne and territorial disputes.
• By the early 15th century, France was in turmoil due to civil war between the Armagnac and Burgundian factions, weakening the French monarchy.

1413: Henry V Becomes King of England:

• Henry V ascends the English throne in 1413 and is determined to assert his claim to the French crown, continuing the policies of his predecessors.

1414-1415: Negotiations and Preparations:

• Henry V begins preparations for a military campaign in France. He sends a series of diplomatic requests, including demands for the French crown and various territories, which the French dismiss.
• France, led by King Charles VI, is unwilling to make significant concessions. The negotiations break down, and war becomes inevitable.

August 1415: The Siege of Harfleur:

• Henry V lands in Normandy with an army of around 12,000 men and besieges the port town of Harfleur. The siege lasts over a month and is costly for the English due to disease (notably dysentery), which reduces their numbers significantly.
• After capturing Harfleur on September 22, Henry V decides to march his army to Calais, an English-held territory, as a demonstration of strength.

The Battle of Agincourt

October 1415: The March to Calais:

• The English army, weakened and reduced to around 6,000 men, begins its march to Calais. The French gather a large force to intercept them.
• The French army, numbering between 12,000 to 30,000, is composed mainly of heavily armored knights and men-at-arms, whereas the English army is predominantly composed of longbowmen.

October 24, 1415: The Night Before the Battle:

• The English army reaches the village of Agincourt, and the French block their path to Calais. The French, confident in their numerical superiority, plan to crush the English the following day.

October 25, 1415: The Battle of Agincourt:

• Early Morning: The battle takes place on a narrow, muddy field flanked by woods, which constrains the French army’s mobility.
• English Formation: The English position themselves with longbowmen on the flanks and dismounted knights and men-at-arms in the center. Henry V uses the terrain to his advantage, with sharpened stakes to protect against cavalry charges.
• French Advances: The French knights and men-at-arms advance through the narrow field, becoming bogged down in the mud. The congestion makes them easy targets for the English longbowmen, who rain arrows down on them.
• Decisive Moments: The heavily armored French troops are unable to break through the English lines. The second and third waves of French attacks are similarly repelled.
• Henry V Leads the Charge: At a critical moment, Henry V leads his men in a charge, and the English manage to capture or kill a significant portion of the French nobility.
• End of Battle: The English emerge victorious, with French losses estimated at around 6,000-10,000, including many nobles. English casualties are significantly lower, possibly as few as a few hundred.

Aftermath of the Battle of Agincourt

1415-1420: Consolidation of English Gains:

• Henry V returns to England as a hero. The victory at Agincourt significantly boosts English morale and weakens French resolve.
• The English use the momentum from Agincourt to launch further campaigns in Normandy.

1420: Treaty of Troyes:

• In 1420, the Treaty of Troyes is signed between England, France, and Burgundy. It recognizes Henry V as the heir to the French throne and grants him the right to marry Catherine of Valois, the daughter of Charles VI.
• The treaty effectively disinherits the Dauphin (the future Charles VII of France) and gives Henry V a substantial political victory.

1422: Death of Henry V:

• Henry V dies unexpectedly in 1422, only two years after the Treaty of Troyes, leaving his infant son, Henry VI, as the king of both England and France. However, the dual monarchy proves unstable.

1429-1453: Resurgence of French Power:

• The English inability to maintain their territorial gains and the emergence of strong French leadership (including Joan of Arc) leads to a resurgence of French power.
• The Hundred Years’ War continues until 1453, ultimately resulting in English defeat and the loss of almost all their territories in France, except Calais.

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