The battle at Agincourt in Nord-Pas-de Calais is famous for the heroic fight between the outnumbered English archers and the French iron-clad chivalry. This year England and France commemorates the battle.
The battle of Agincourt took place on the 25th of October 1415. It had an enormous significance:
It was a battle between an outnumbered and cornered English army and a huge French force. Nevertheless, the underdog, Henry V and his army won the day. This win was not least due to the brilliant deployment of the famous English archers wielding their longbows against the heavily armoured French cavalry. However, the military strategy also played a significant role. Hence the battle of Agincourt is a favoured subject for military historians as well as re-enactors. 2015 sets the scene for multiple commemorations and events celebrating the 600-year anniversary.
Agincourt 600
Diverse organizations, though, are busy marketing somewhat different programmes. One – Agincourt 600 – is an English registered charity specifically set up by a number of prominent English partners. The aim is “to promote international friendship and understanding and advance knowledge and commemoration of the battle”. Included in this program are a service of commemoration in Westminster Abbey, exhibitions, academic conferences, a concert of French and English 15th century music, a one-man-show, guided walks through the city of London and fundraising events of diverse character. A Calendar lists the all the events.
Of special importance will be the exhibition planned at the Royal Armouries in the White Tower of London. This will include a specially constructed model of the battle as well as weapons, armour, manuscripts and other artefacts of the period.
Another event-manager is Azincourt2015, an Anglo-French counterpart established in collaboration between the Museum at Agincourt and The Agincourt Alliance. Unfortunately not much information is available at this point except it is presumed it will be partner in hosting the actual commemoration on site on the 25th of October 2015, which is planned to link back to an Anglo-French event which took place there during the First World War in October 1915.
The Agincourt Alliance is said to plan a recreation by archer re-enactors of the route taken by Henry and his army from Harfleur to Azincourt, and a mass arrow shoot as well as a medieval festival in July.
France 2015
Naturally official France is hesitant to take part in these festivities. The outcome of the battle was truly devastating and it is not easy to commemorate such a profound defeat for a nation otherwise obsessed with “gloire” . However, at Le musée de l’Armé at Hôtel des Invalides a major exhibition is planned with the title: 1415 – 1515: d’Azincourt à Marignan. Marignan or rather Marignano was the place south of Milan, where Francis I won the battle against the Swiss and Papal confederates a hundred year later. This exhibition is thus not planned as part of the “Azincourt commemoration”, but as part of the commemoration of the coronation of Francis I in 1515!
SOURCES:
This is the website dedicated to promoting the activities of the registered English charity responsible for coordinating the commemorations and events in the English context.
Here it is possible to read a number of interesting introductions to the battle and its historical context:
- Are there eyewitness accounts of the battle of Agincourt?
- Did Henry V Found the Royal Navy?
- D-Day 1415: Can we know the size of Henry V’s Fleet in 1415?
- How did the city of London celebrate Henry’s return?
- Can we follow Henry’s route today?
- How did the city of London react to news of the battle?
- How many French prisoners survived the massacre which took place at the battle of Agincourt?
- What was the Hundred Years’ War?
- What horses did the king have personally for the expedition?
- Where was Agincourt fought?
- How did the city of London fund Henry V’s expedition of 1415?
- Did Henry V Fear the Scots?
- What equipment was supplied to members of the royal household for the 1415 campaign?
- What did John Mowbray, Earl Marshal, take with him on the campaign?
This is a project launched by a group of re-enactors – The Agincourt Alliance, which wishes to organise a major re-enactment of 1000 shooters on site in October 2015. This event is planned as a joint venture with the Medieval Centre of Agincourt and local townships and tourist offices. Other planned events are re-enactments in July 2015. These are planned in connection with a medieval festival traditionally held each year. It used to be organised in October, but weather and muddy clay made the experience less appealing to both re-enactors and audience.
The Medieval Centre of Agincourt was built in the heart of the Sept Vallées in 2001 as a museum dedicated to tell the story of the battle, which nearly changed the outcome of the Hundred Year War between France and England (1337 – 1453).
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