History


The Battle of Agincourt that took place on the 25th of October 1415 was a fascinating but controversial battle. 

Have any questions?

If you have any queries about Agincourt, please feel free to contact Professor Anne Curry 

A few articles to whet your appetite:

Did Sir William Tirwhit serve on the campaign?

By Professor Anne Curry At the time of the 1415 campaign William Tirwhit (Tyrwhitt) was still an esquire. He indented to serve in person as a man-at-arms and with three archers. His indenture survives at TNA E 101/69/4/402. We also have the relevant warrant for issue (TNA E 404/31/388) and the payment of wages for the first quarter of service is recorded in the special issue roll for the campaign (TNA E 101/45/5 m. 8). No muster survives for his company. Since there is no evidence to the contrary, we...
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‘Kill the poys and the luggage!’. Were there boys at the battle of Agincourt?

By Professor Anne Curry Act 4 scene 7 of Shakespeare’s Henry V begins with the Welsh captain Llewellyn (otherwise known as Fluellen) uttering the famous words ‘Kill the poys and the luggage! ’Tis expressly against the law of arms. ’Tis as arrant a piece of knavery mark you now, as can be offert, in your conscience now, is it not? The English captain Gower replies ’Tis certain. There’s not a boy left alive and the cowardly rascals that ran from the battle ha’done this slaughter’. Besides, they have burned and...
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Why did the city of Bordeaux celebrate the victory of Agincourt only moderately?

By Vince Haure Since 1152, the city of Bordeaux had as its lords the kings-dukes (kings of England-dukes of Guyenne or Aquitaine) through Eleanor of Aquitaine and her marriage to Henry Plantagenet (Henry II of England). The people of Bordeaux were very attached to the Anglo-Gascon union. There survive records of discussions (Registres de délibérations) of the Jurade of Bordeaux, a council composed of 12 elected jurats (town councillors) led by a mayor appointed by the king-duke. The latter officially governed the city of Bordeaux, but in reality he enjoyed...
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Was Agincourt a Holy War?

By Stephen Cooper Henry V’s victory at Agincourt was described as a victory for God as well as the King.  When a session of Parliament was convened, only two weeks after the battle, Bishop Beaufort lavished extravagant praise on the King. God in his great mercy gave him the victory and the Adversary was killed and undone, and it was clearly demonstrated that, by this gracious beginning, his just pursuit of his rights was and is approved by God Almighty. As Christopher Tyerman has written, the royal rhetoric described Henry...
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