Agincourt!

Photos are here.

Today Agincourt is not much to look at, but in the early 15th century it was the scene of the a pivotal battle in the hundred years war and is where Henry V of the England, together with Shakespear's help in later years, assured his place in history. Visiting the site was well worth the trip.

The story is familiar to military history phials like myself. Starving, and outnumbered, the English defeat a large, well trained and overly confident (arrogant even) force of French soldiers, noblemen and mercenaries. The French had every advantage and proceeded to discard them all for defeat by choosing to drive heavy cavalry head on into prepared positions, in muddy ground, and under the range English longbows. The faintest leadership in the French ranks would have changed history in incalculable ways.

The photos show a a view of the field from the French and English side. You can get an idea for the size and layout of the field as well as the distance between the sides prior to actual engagement.

Probably the most interesting part of the visit is the still creepy French burial mounds where thousands of French soldiers and nobles where buried in mass graves that today remains and undisturbed barrow where trees mingle with clingy vines and darkness.