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Agincourt, Battle of

Battle fought on 25 October 1415 at Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War, between Henry V of England and a much larger force of French under a divided command. Henry completely defeated the French, hastening the English conquest of Normandy. Some 6,000 French died and hundreds, including the richest nobles, were taken prisoner. Henry gained France and the French princess Catherine of Valois as his wife. The village of Agincourt (modern Azincourt) is 48 km/30 mi south of Calais, in northern France.

The battle

Henry's month-long siege of Harfleur had left his army (barely 1,000 men-at-arms and 5,000 archers) weakened by disease and hunger. He attempted a chevauchée (raid through enemy territory) to Calais, but was diverted by the French, and forced to cross the River Somme. Henry proceeded parallel with the 25,000-strong French force towards Agincourt, where he was finally brought to bay, initially deploying his forces with archers at the flanks. The French leaders were so confident of victory that they did not dispose their forces (some 10,000 men-at-arms with 15-20,000 supporting infantry) properly; most of the French dismounted, abandoning wings of cavalry intended to charge and drive off the archers. Henry seized the initiative by advancing into a narrow gap between two woods, leaving the French unable to use their larger forces. The English formed up in four ranks, with archers in front. They then advanced, halted, and drove stakes into the ground to protect against the cavalry. The combined effect of archery, heavy mud, and the row of stakes disorganized and foiled the packed cavalry, but the French infantry continued to attack and engaged in hand-to-hand fighting. This first line of French troops was defeated and the English then advanced upon the second and third lines, driving the French from the field.

Azincourt

England and France, medieval

England: history to 1485

France: history to 1515

Henry V (of England)

Hundred Years' War