History
The Battle of Agincourt Explained
An overview of the Battle of Agincourt (1415), the shocking English victory against a larger French army during the Hundred Years' War.
What is it?
The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory in the Hundred Years' War, fought on October 25, 1415, in northern France. King Henry V's English army, though heavily outnumbered, decisively defeated the French forces under Constable Charles d'Albret. The English army, composed of nearly 80 percent archers wielding the formidable English longbow, took up a defensive position on muddy ground between two woods. This terrain bottlenecked the French advance, making their numerical superiority less effective and causing their heavily armored knights to become stuck in the mud.
Why is it trending?
Agincourt remains one of the most celebrated and studied underdog victories in military history. The triumph of a small, weary English army over a vast French force boosted English morale and prestige, creating a legend that endures to this day. The battle's fame was cemented in popular culture by William Shakespeare's play "Henry V," particularly the famous St. Crispin's Day speech. The compelling narrative of courage against overwhelming odds and the pivotal role of the longbow continue to capture the public imagination through books, films, and historical studies.
How does it affect people?
The battle had profound immediate and long-term consequences. In the short term, it crippled the French nobility, with thousands killed or captured, and allowed Henry V to conquer Normandy. This led to the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, which named Henry the heir to the French throne. For the English, it was a powerful boost to national identity and legitimized Henry V's reign. Today, the battle serves as a powerful symbol of national resilience and is a key subject in the study of medieval history and the evolution of warfare, particularly the shift from elite knights to infantry-dominated tactics.