History

Did a Dog Fight at Agincourt?

By Dr Philip Morgan

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The well-known story that Sir Peter Legh of Lyme was wounded at the battle of Agincourt, and that his dog, a Lyme mastiff, stood over him for the remainder of the battle, probably originated in a family story attached to a piece of stained glass in a series of Labours of the Months, but was popularised during the rise Victorian dog fancying.

Legh’s actual service at Agincourt and his later death after the siege of Meaux have been well known to historians, but have frequently been overwhelmed by the retelling of the story of the loyal mastiff. An investigation into the family’s relationship with its own military service reveals much about the use of medieval warfare in the elaboration of family traditions.  For the full article click here.

Philip Morgan
Keele University

First image is of the Lyme Brass inscription, second image is of the Lyme Chapel, photographs taken by Philip Morgan

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