"The truth about Agincourt" Topic

"To mark the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, Research Highlights talks to some of our historians who are challenging the myths around this famous battle.

The Battle of Agincourt took place on 25 October 1415 in modern-day Azincourt in northern France. Henry V led his troops to an unexpected victory to defeat the French and make his claim to the throne of France. Much of what we remember about Agincourt comes from Shakespeare's play, Henry V, but how much of this is based on fact?

Anne Curry, Professor of Medieval History at the University of Southampton, is one of the world's leading experts on the Battle of Agincourt. In her most recent research, published in her latest book, Great Battles Agincourt, Anne has traced the legacy of Agincourt from 1415 to 2015, using a wide range of sources, from newspapers and depictions of Agincourt in literature to films. To mark the 600th anniversary, the University also ran a two-week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), led by Anne, which enabled participants to explore the myths and realities of the battle…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Anne Curry – one of my favourite English medievalists; a fine scholar.

I think the popularity of Agincourt is largely down to Shakespeare and later it's incorporation into the English/British national myth.

I should say the army sizes and proportions Curry quotes are about right, although the French suffered from having to react to the English choice of battlefield. The English army were in a poor state though, having suffered through a largely unsuccessful campaign, hunger and dysentery.

I've always disliked Henry V, probably to values dissonance, not sure I'd trust him as a battlefield leader, knowing that if it all went wrong he'd get captured and exchanged and all his soldiers would get tortured and killed. He was also a religious hardliner responsible for persecution of reformers like the Lollards.

Agree!….

Amicalement
Armand