Battle of Agincourt
Azincourt, County of Saint-Pol (now Pas-de-Calais)
What happened
King Henry V of England fought the French army led by Constable Charles d'Albret, as King Charles VI of France was too ill to lead. Henry V invaded France and captured the port of Harfleur, but siege and sickness weakened his army as it marched toward English-held Calais. A larger French army blocked the way near Azincourt on a narrow, muddy field between woods. English longbowmen shot down the French advance, the heavily armoured French knights struggled and crowded together in the mud, and the English won.
Why it matters
Result: English victory. Leaders: Henry V / Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester against Charles d'Albret / Jean II Le Maingre. Why it matters: It was a surprising victory for the vastly outnumbered English, and it began a period of English success in the Hundred Years' War that lasted 14 years.
What came next
The Treaty of Troyes in 1420 recognised Henry as heir and regent of France. English success ended with the defeat at Orléans in 1429.
Did you know?
At 16, Henry was struck in the face by an arrow at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403, and he survived.
Timeline
- 1415 CEHenry V besieges and captures Harfleur.
- 25 October 1415 CEThe English defeat the French at Agincourt on St Crispin's Day.
- 1420 CEThe Treaty of Troyes makes Henry heir to France.
- 31 August 1422 CEHenry V dies.
- 1429 CEThe English are defeated at Orléans.