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The Battle of Agincourt resulted in an upset victory for the British that can be credited in large part to the the power of the English [[longbow]].

The Battle of Agincourt resulted in an upset victory for the British that can be credited in large part to the the power of the English [[longbow]].

On October 25, 1415 both armies arose before dawn and arrayed themselves for battle. The battlefield was bordered by a thick forest on either side that prevented the superior French force, who outnumbered the English 5 to 1, from out-flanking the English army. The French formed three lines. Flanked by the French cavalry, the first two lines were made of dismounted men-at-arms while the third was mounted. The French archers and crossbowmen were placed behind the first line. The English assumed a single line of 900 men-at-arms with 2,500 archers placed on either side.  

On October 25, 1415 both armies arose before dawn and arrayed themselves for battle. The battlefield was bordered by a thick forest on either side that prevented the superior French force, who outnumbered the English 5 to 1, from out-flanking the English army. The French formed three lines. Flanked by the French cavalry, the first two lines were made of dismounted men-at-arms while the third was mounted. The French archers and crossbowmen were placed behind the first line. The English assumed a single line of 900 men-at-arms with 2,500 archers placed on either side.  

[[Image:agincourt.gif]]

[[Image:agincourt.gif|600px]]

'''The Battle'''

== The Battle ==

The English line advanced to within the extremity of long bow range and began to fire upon the first French line. An English archer was capable of firing up to ten shots per minute; by the time each arrow had landed a second was already in flight. The sky was thick with shafts pouring into the French lines. They responded with a cavalry charge followed by an advance of the first line of men-at-arms. Few of the French knights reached the English archers and those who did were impaled upon defensive stakes that had been set up. The retreating French cavalry broke the orderly advance of their own men-at-arms. These continued their unsupported advance, and though they lost many of their number to the heavy barrage of arrows, they managed to reach the English line. As the French were being beaten back by the English men-at-arms the archers exchanged their bows for swords and axes and fell upon the French flank; the first French line was almost entirely killed or taken prisoner. Most of the second line, seeing what happened to the first, retreated; those who did not were destroyed.  

The English line advanced to within the extremity of long bow range and began to fire upon the first French line. An English archer was capable of firing up to ten shots per minute; by the time each arrow had landed a second was already in flight. The sky was thick with shafts pouring into the French lines. They responded with a cavalry charge followed by an advance of the first line of men-at-arms. Few of the French knights reached the English archers and those who did were impaled upon defensive stakes that had been set up. The retreating French cavalry broke the orderly advance of their own men-at-arms. These continued their unsupported advance, and though they lost many of their number to the heavy barrage of arrows, they managed to reach the English line. As the French were being beaten back by the English men-at-arms the archers exchanged their bows for swords and axes and fell upon the French flank; the first French line was almost entirely killed or taken prisoner. Most of the second line, seeing what happened to the first, retreated; those who did not were destroyed.