Alexander CekalaThe Battle of Agincourt
On the 25th of October 1415 the Battle of Agincourt, one of the most well known battles in the Hundred Years' War, was fought between France and England.
Henry V, the English king, invaded France in order to help secure revenue from France and gain popularity at home. the Battle of Agincourt was a major battle which resulted in a major French defeat.
The Battle
The English advanced to within longbow range, in which time the French didn't attack. This was a tactical blunder. Once established the English archers placed stakes in the ground to absorb a French cavalry charge. As the English started firing the French cavalry charged. Volleys of arrows slaughtered the cavalry and the stakes killed those few who continued to charge. The survivors retreated
The French men at arms then charged and once again the English longbow men slaughtered many of them, especially as the battlefield narrowed considerably at one point, slowing the advance. When the French troops reached the English lines the troops had run out of momentum. Partly due to their large number of troops the French could not find the room to fight properly and the smaller English force managed to hold out. Both the French attacks were repelled.
The English won the battle.
Prisoners
The French army attacked the English baggage train, which was considered dishonourable. So, in response, the English killed a number of prisoners they had taken. It has also been suggested that the killings took place to help control the other French prisoners, who actually outnumbered the English army.
Reassessment
It has recently been questioned whether the battle was quite as amazing an English victory as has traditionally been assumed. Historian Anne Curry claimed that the French had less troops than previously assumed. The question is still up in the air as to whether this is true.
The Relevance
For those who have heard of the battle and wondered about its relevance: it is this:
o It has been seen as a massive English victory and entered English folklore.
o It was seen as demonstrating the superiority of long bows over other long range weapons.
o It paved the way for an English invasion of France.
Well there you go, the Battle of Agincourt.
Adam
Henry V, the English king, invaded France in order to help secure revenue from France and gain popularity at home. the Battle of Agincourt was a major battle which resulted in a major French defeat.
The Battle
The English advanced to within longbow range, in which time the French didn't attack. This was a tactical blunder. Once established the English archers placed stakes in the ground to absorb a French cavalry charge. As the English started firing the French cavalry charged. Volleys of arrows slaughtered the cavalry and the stakes killed those few who continued to charge. The survivors retreated
The French men at arms then charged and once again the English longbow men slaughtered many of them, especially as the battlefield narrowed considerably at one point, slowing the advance. When the French troops reached the English lines the troops had run out of momentum. Partly due to their large number of troops the French could not find the room to fight properly and the smaller English force managed to hold out. Both the French attacks were repelled.
The English won the battle.
Prisoners
The French army attacked the English baggage train, which was considered dishonourable. So, in response, the English killed a number of prisoners they had taken. It has also been suggested that the killings took place to help control the other French prisoners, who actually outnumbered the English army.
Reassessment
It has recently been questioned whether the battle was quite as amazing an English victory as has traditionally been assumed. Historian Anne Curry claimed that the French had less troops than previously assumed. The question is still up in the air as to whether this is true.
The Relevance
For those who have heard of the battle and wondered about its relevance: it is this:
o It has been seen as a massive English victory and entered English folklore.
o It was seen as demonstrating the superiority of long bows over other long range weapons.
o It paved the way for an English invasion of France.
Well there you go, the Battle of Agincourt.
Adam
