The Battle of Agincourt was a famous English victory during the Hundred Years' War, fought on this day, October 25, in 1415. It took place near the village of Agincourt (Azincourt in French) in northern France. The French army forced battle on King Henry V of England as the English army was moving towards the channel after a victory at the Seige of Harfleur. Henry must have felt his aim to claim the French throne was lost as a much larger force now confronted him blocking his path.
The Battle-
The English forces were well-equipped and disciplined though weakened by the campaign and sickness. The French, on the other hand, were fresh troops and growing in number as more joined. They were hampered by disorganization and lacked effective leadership as several nobles vied for command.
Henry's forces formed a dense "hedgehog" formation, protecting themselves with their shields and firing arrows into the advancing French knights. The battlefield is recorded as being very wet and muddy. This was a crucial element in the battle as the men and horses of the French cavalry became bogged down as they launched several attacks. The English archers played a crucial role in the victory and the English Longbow fulfilled its reputation. The French cavalry was decimated, and the English infantry then charged into the remaining French forces, routing them.
Battle of Agincourt
After the battle-
Agincourt was a major turning point in the Hundred Years' War. It boosted English morale and gave them a significant advantage in the conflict. Henry V's victory helped to solidify his claim to the French throne, and he was eventually crowned King of France in 1422.
The battle is also remembered for the English archers' use of the longbow, which was an exceptionally powerful and effective weapon at that time. The Battle of Agincourt is considered one of the most famous victories in English military history.
On the anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, we wanted to think about what soldiers would have chosen to carry into such a significant historical combat.
Choosing Your Weapon-
When preparing for battle, soldiers, especially on campaign, would have to choose weapons they had with them or acquired along the way. Swords, axes, maces, and polearms were all common choices for hand-to-hand combat in the early 15th century. Each type had its own advantages and disadvantages. If you had been at Agincourt and were grabbing your gear from our supply wagon which would you have chosen.
As the events of that day occurred it's clear that the choices made by soldiers regarding their weapons and gear were crucial to their success in combat. The right equipment is a crucial factor in the difference between victory and defeat on the battlefield. We hope when your next marching across France you think to bring the right Arms & Armor kit with you!
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is Vice President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985