The Battle of Azincourt (Agincourt), France

Every Englishman has heard of the Battle of Agincourt (Azincourt in French), on 25th October 1415, in which the superior numbers of Charles IV's army were decisively defeated by Henry V & his archers.

This short video shows the battlefield today, starting to the south close to Maisoncelles where the English army formed up before advancing north towards the waiting French. It finishes looking at the famous copse of trees (where many of the victims are said to be buried) located right in the centre of the battleground.

The main battle lines themselves sit parallel to the road between Agincourt and Tramecourt.

Much of the forest has of course disappeared since 1415, especially to the west of the battlefield around the village of Agincourt itself. Therefore the significance of this feature of the battle (where the French troops were prevented from using their superior numbers on a cramped battlefield)is not apparent today.

The area is virtually flat although there is a small slope towards the English side on the eastern side of the battlefield (was this area forested in 1415?).

The significance of the wet fields is hard to quantify. All I can say is that I did not see such wet ground anywhere else in the area that day. This might be related to farming methods since 1415 or it could be a feature of the soil in this area. All I can say is that the fields were exceptionally wet as shown in the video and more importantly on the day of the battle; this feature had a significant effect on the outcome of the battle.

Please take a look at Video History Today http://www.videohistorytoday.com , the first web site to offer unique collections of re-usable original video clips designed for teachers and students.

The idea behind Video History Today is to give schools the raw material to make mini-documentaries and video essays on historical subjects.

Initial packages focus on World War I (Somme and Ieper areas), The Holocaust, the American Civil War and D-Day & Normandy 1944.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• agincourt
• azincourt
• battlefield
• henry
• archers
• 1415
• france

[Master666555]

And now.. go to the battlefield of crécy :P

[VideoHistoryToday]

@Master666555 I have but I haven't put a vid up yet. Crecy is not quite so well known over here. Not so much to see (no museum or significant information plaques) apart from a central viewing platform. Stopped there on the way up from Normandy to Agincourt and on to WWI sites in northern France.  Nice place to eat lunch though.

[Master666555]

@VideoHistoryToday Ah ok thanks.

You must have a lot of money, to travel through europe or america,to view the battlefields.. wow respect!greetings from germany!

[VideoHistoryToday]

@Master666555 I HAD a lot of money...let go by my old bank and used it to travel a bit. Plus aim was to build up video collection for my Video History Today venture.

[vdven]

where is the castle, that Agincourt is named after? Does it still exist?

[VideoHistoryToday]

The castle was demolished in the 17th Century and the mound it was on, while still there, is no longer visable.

[joezzzify]

@flynn2008 no no, helps to PROGRESS!

[igloo54]

@Crecybowman LOL, fair enough.

[Crecybowman]

@igloo54 PLEASE don't compare Bush to Henry V!

[Crecybowman]

@VideoHistoryToday There is a small museum at Crecy - it is in the town of Crecy-en-ponthieu. It has one room dedicated to 'THE" battle, up kept and displayed by British archers. It also houses other rooms dedicated to WWII, and in particular the V1 and V2 rocket bases that where in the area. Great vid!

[igloo54]

Henry V acted on sketchy intel when he ordered the execution of French prisoners. It's not too different from how Bush acted on faulty intel concerning WMD. Hindsight is always 20/20.

[denboy666]

I think one must consider the times and try to look through the eyes of the people from the middle ages, instead of the 21st century. When Henry saw the potential re muster of the French army he did the right thing, to not only win, but survive! But I disagree that the French accepted the slaughter of the prisoners; even to this day! When one surrenders and thus lays down his arms, it is then the captors duty to safeguard said prisoner until ransomed; according to chivalric code.