The Battle of Agincourt, fought on October 25, 1415, remains one of the most famous and decisive battles in medieval European history. It was a key moment in the Hundred Years’ War, a prolonged conflict between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France. The battle took place near the village of Agincourt in northern France and became a symbol of English resilience, military innovation, and the triumph of a seemingly outmatched army.

The Battle of Agincourt was the culmination of a series of military campaigns by King Henry V of England, who was determined to secure his claim to the French throne and restore English dominance over large parts of France, a goal that had been set out by his ancestors, notably Edward III.

The war had been ongoing for over a century by this point, with periods of truce followed by resumption of fighting. Henry V, who ascended to the English throne in 1413, sought to reclaim lands that had been lost by his father, Henry IV, and to further assert English interests in France. In 1415, he launched an expedition to France, beginning with a siege of Harfleur, which he captured after a difficult and lengthy siege. However, the victory came at a great cost in terms of casualties, and the English army was weakened by disease and dwindling supplies.

In order to return to England safely, Henry needed to cross through French territory, and thus he decided to march his army toward Calais, a key English stronghold on the northern coast of France. As he advanced, the French assembled a large force to confront him.

The Forces Engaged

The armies involved in the Battle of Agincourt were vastly different in size, composition, and quality. On one side, the English army, led by Henry V, numbered around 6,000 men, including 1,500 to 2,000 longbowmen, who would play a pivotal role in the battle’s outcome. On the other side, the French army, commanded by the Constable of France, Charles d'Albret, numbered between 20,000 and 30,000 men, including a significant number of knights and heavily armored soldiers. The French army was composed of the best soldiers and knights in France, many of whom were veterans of the war, and they believed they had the clear advantage over the English. shutdown123