An army marching from Harfleur
After capturing Harfleur, Henry V leads a depleted army towards Calais. The French assemble forces to block his route.
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Battle
Agincourt
25 October 1415
A narrow front turns French numerical superiority into a deadly bottleneck.
Military history
How can an outnumbered English army hold the field and then break the French attacks?
On 25 October 1415, Henry V’s army, weakened after Harfleur, finds its route to Calais blocked. Between two woods, French attacks concentrate against the English archers and men-at-arms. The waterlogged ground, shooting, and congestion compound one another. The English victory is followed by the execution of many prisoners.
A corridor between the woods
The ground available between Tramecourt and Agincourt woods limits the usable front. Recent rain and mud impede movement, especially for large, heavily equipped bodies of men.
Dismounted men-at-arms
The English fight mainly on foot. Their archers stand on the wings and can protect their positions with stakes, while the men-at-arms form the core of the line.
Compressed numerical superiority
Estimates differ over exact strengths but agree on clear French numerical superiority. The narrow space reduces the number of men able to fight simultaneously against a prepared line.
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Chronological dossier
CrecyOn 26 August 1346, Edward III meets Philip VI’s army near Crécy. His men-at-arms fight on foot, supported by archers and troops in depth. The French arrive without coordinating their attacks. Their failure leaves the field to the English, who then move towards Calais.PoitiersOn 19 September 1356, John II catches the Black Prince near Poitiers. The Anglo-Gascons defend approaches narrowed by hedges and ditches. French attacks follow one another without lasting support. A counterattack eventually breaks the royal battle line and John II is captured.PatayOn 18 June 1429, after French successes on the Loire, the English army retreats north. The vanguard under La Hire and Xaintrailles catches it before it can organize its defence. The shock and pursuit break its cohesion, and Talbot is captured. The longbow remains effective, but needs time to deploy.CastillonOn 17 July 1453, Talbot comes to relieve Castillon, which the French are besieging. He drives off an outpost, then attacks an entrenched camp equipped with artillery. Fire and obstacles stop his men; the arrival of the Bretons enables a counterattack. Talbot is killed and the French reconquest of Guyenne continues.
Military history
Sources
Primary sourceGesta Henrici Quinti, traduction de l'Université de Southampton
Traduction Southampton, PDF pp. 2–3 : attente, avance anglaise, pieux et attaques montées ; pp. 3–4 : mêlée ; p. 5, « The killing of the prisoners » : alerte, exécutions et retrait français.
Henry V’s march, terrain, deployment, attacks and immediate outcome.
View ↗Modern referenceR. Ambühl, Agincourt in context: war on land and sea. Introduction
Journal of Medieval History, 2017
Campaign context and debates over strengths, terrain and the significance of victory.
View ↗Institutional referenceThe Battle of Agincourt, College of Arms
Notice institutionnelle sur la bataille du 25 octobre 1415
Date, dynastic context and caution over the battle’s figures.
View ↗Departmental archives and contextual mapArchives du Pas-de-Calais, la bataille et le champ d’Azincourt
Dossier patrimonial sur la bataille du 25 octobre 1415
Situation map, villages, woods framing the corridor, and the route taken towards Calais.
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