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Agincourt: Henry V and the Battle That Made England
Waged almost six centuries ago, the Battle of Agincourt still captivates. It is the classic underdog story, and generations have wondered how the English--outmanned by the French six to one--could have succeeded so bravely and brilliantly. Drawing on a wide range of sources, Juliet Barker paints a gripping narrative of the October 1415 clash between the outnumbered English...more
ebook, 0 pages
Published
December 21st 2008
by Back Bay Books
(first published 2005)
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History tells you what happened. Good history tells you why. Great history puts you in that world and makes you feel it, makes you start to understand it. This is great history.
Agincourt was too foreign a battle for me to understand. I had thought it was a rather pointless battle; a great English victory, certainly, but fought for no good reason in a cause that was ultimately futile. Barker's book changed all that. It explained why, in the foreign culture that was England of 1415, the campaign w...more
Agincourt was too foreign a battle for me to understand. I had thought it was a rather pointless battle; a great English victory, certainly, but fought for no good reason in a cause that was ultimately futile. Barker's book changed all that. It explained why, in the foreign culture that was England of 1415, the campaign w...more
This book was published around the same time as of Anne Curry's Agincourt: A New History. While Curry is considered an expert on the subject, she gives alot of attention to historiography and I find her writing a bit dry.
Barker's book is much more readable; if I wasn't in a rush to finish off a university term paper I really would've liked to properly read this cover to cover. It covers not only the Agincourt campaign, but also serves a short biography of Henry V and delves into some of the Arma...more
Barker's book is much more readable; if I wasn't in a rush to finish off a university term paper I really would've liked to properly read this cover to cover. It covers not only the Agincourt campaign, but also serves a short biography of Henry V and delves into some of the Arma...more
This is thoroughly enjoyable read, concerning the near mythical battle in which Henry the Fifth and a diseased , starving English army fought and defeated a far superior (in terms of numbers at least) French force. We all know the story but Barker sheds new light on how it all got started, the story of the preparation for the invasion and the challenges overcome.
One also gets a better view of what Henry must have been like and how talented a ruler, general and manager he was. I also now appreci...more
One also gets a better view of what Henry must have been like and how talented a ruler, general and manager he was. I also now appreci...more
This is a book that took me a while to get through, mostly because my expectations were out of line with what the book could have provided. I was looking for deep tactical analysis of the battle itself, instead the book proved to be a comprehensive look at all aspects of the campaign which lead to the battle of Agincourt, from its formation to its conclusion and beyond.
Barker does a great job of selling King Henry V's motivations for the campaign, as well as bringing great respect to his politic...more
Barker does a great job of selling King Henry V's motivations for the campaign, as well as bringing great respect to his politic...more
While 'Agincourt' is clearly a well-researched work, Juliet Barker breaks little new ground. The organisational and motivational abilities and piety and chivalry of Henry V have never been in doubt; nor have the insanity of King Charles VI of France, the cowardice of his son, the dauphin, or the divided nature of the French aristocracy (many of whom behaved in a remarkably chivalrous way themselves) of the day.
Barker's insistence on disagreeing with recent historians of the period, without givin...more
Barker's insistence on disagreeing with recent historians of the period, without givin...more
1 like · like · see review
Apr 17, 2009
Kat
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
British history buffs, readers of Shakespeare's Henry V
The Battle of Agincourt is one of the most, if not the most, famous battles in British history. I didn't know that until reading this book. I'd never read Shakespeare's history plays on Henry IV and Prince Hal, so my knowledge of King Henry V was nonexistent prior to diving into this book.
I recently heard a quote in a British TV mini-series, "A war with France is traditional." How true this was for many centuries. In the midst of the Hundred Years' War, Henry V waged a battle with Charles VI of...more
I recently heard a quote in a British TV mini-series, "A war with France is traditional." How true this was for many centuries. In the midst of the Hundred Years' War, Henry V waged a battle with Charles VI of...more
2 likes · like · see review
I'm not a reader of military history, and I picked this book up at the local library more because of my familiarity with Shakespeare's Henry V (and the Olivier film of it, which I first saw when in infant school) than through any particular interest in battle formations or weaponry.
This is a superb book, clearly structured, well written and informative. There's tons of background - both to the usurpation of the throne of England by Henry's father and Henry's consequent need to prove himself as a...more
This is a superb book, clearly structured, well written and informative. There's tons of background - both to the usurpation of the throne of England by Henry's father and Henry's consequent need to prove himself as a...more
This is a fascinating book. The Henry V of Shakespeare is such a hollow character compared with the reality. This book is well written and well researched. Because the author has done enormous research through the original medieval records, she writes about ordinary people whose names occur in the record and they are seen as people.
Amazing facts emerge - There were women blacksmiths and women surgeons in London in 1415.
Henry V endured the removal of an arrow from his face due to the skill of a m...more
Amazing facts emerge - There were women blacksmiths and women surgeons in London in 1415.
Henry V endured the removal of an arrow from his face due to the skill of a m...more
This book thoroughly details the events leading to the historic battle at Agincourt; the battle, itself; and the political and social aftermath, both in England and in France. Juliet Barker also pays great attention to the chivalric ideals of the period, explaining how they influenced behavior on both sides of the long-running conflict between the two countries. This history is every bit as much a page-turner as Bernard Cornwell's fictional retelling of the same battle, Azincourt. Together, Corn...more
This is a remarkably rich (in terms of detail) regarding this important battle in France. I had no idea of the effort led by Henry V to reclaim his inheritance. This story was very personal in that one of my wife's ancestors co-led Henry's vanguard into France from Harfleur to Agincourt - Gilbert Umfreville. Based on well noted references the author provides a tremendous story of the campaign that Henry conducted.
I also recommend her sequel recently released called "Conquest". This book picks up...more
I also recommend her sequel recently released called "Conquest". This book picks up...more
"A very well-written and detailed account of events leading up to the battle, as well as the immediate aftermath of the fight. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only minor gripe is that sometimes the author focused on a personal anecdote (like what happened to a knight after the battle) that shifted the timeline forward, then she would return to the original timeline of the battle. At places these shifts were a little too long, but they occurred infrequently enough to not be jarring (as in some books...more
Jun 07, 2012
Anna
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
france,
england,
henry-v,
kings,
military-history-of-warfare,
popular-history,
medieval-history
This was another of my 'essay reads' which has sat on my shelf for years but only started when needed for an assignment. I have not yet read the book in its entirety , but I am already engrossed. What I like best about this book is the way the author devotes as much attention to the background and planning stages of the campaign, as the battle and campaign in France itself. Chapters entitled 'The Diplomatic Effort' and 'Scots and Plots' reveal the broader political situation in Britain and Franc...more
This book took me forever to finish! Not because it wasn't good or anything, but just because I was so busy with school that I never had time with it. Of course, because the political situations that the book discusses are so complicated, it was a little difficult for me to remember all that was going on and who everyone was with since I spent so much time not reading the book.
Putting my confusion aside, I really thought this was a great book. The politics behind the battle were complicated, bu...more
Putting my confusion aside, I really thought this was a great book. The politics behind the battle were complicated, bu...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A detailed story of the first French campaign of Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt. Includes the rise of Henry V, the usurper's son, raising taxes and forming his army, crossing the Channel and capturing the French town of Harfleur, and then facing overwhelming odds on a field outside the village of Agincourt in northern France. The English were outnumbered about five to one, were tired and hungry and wet, and stricken with dystentery (many of Henry's archers reportedly tore holes in their bri...more
I don't usually find military history all that interesting, but Henry V was enough of an inducement, and this book turned out to be very readable (and relatively concise). The author is an expert on chivalry and on medieval combat, and I appreciated that the book gave explanations for a lot of things that had always been mysterious to me (the division of labor between archers and men-at-arms on the battlefield, how the whole prisoner exchange system worked, and what coats of arms and heralds are...more
For three-hundred odd pages on a single battle, Barker manages a remarkably engaging narrative with a very human edge. I don't know the historiography of Agincourt, but Barker claims to refocus on the people behind the English invasion of Normandy, and that approach is clear. Since this is early Modern Europe, it is also kind of a pain, because I can only keep track of so many Dukes, Earls, and Counts. Ultimately, though this book is enjoyable if only for the historical perspective it places Sha...more
i'm a huge nerd and i love reading history books for fun. and this one was a pretty good read if you like battles and are as obsessed with medieval english history as i am. there's a bit of jumping around and the paragraphs and chapters could be broken up a bit better for easier reading (lots of names and terms and etc. to keep track of after all).
of course the book favored henry v and the english cause, so if you want a french rendition and french-side of the story then you better keep looking.
of course the book favored henry v and the english cause, so if you want a french rendition and french-side of the story then you better keep looking.
I associate Juliet Barker mostly with the Brontës, but she's also a medieval historian. I found this an engrossing, scholarly account of the battle of Agincourt. Barker sets the stage with Henry V's ascent to the throne of England and decision to press his claim to the throne of France; she provides excellent background on the political scenes in England and France. Her analysis of Henry's march through Normandy and of the battle itself is well-researched and vivid, and I particularly liked her...more
Mar 22, 2012
Frank Morrison
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
history-medieval,
military-history
After reading historical fiction novel of the same name by Bernard Cornwell, I felt it prudent to learn the true story and events of the amazing battle that took place in 1415. This answered every question I had, and all of the ones I never thought to ask. I was absolutely amazed by the detail and intricacies of medieval life, chivalry, and combat. It is filled with astounding anecdotes of the lives of the men who were prominent and immortalized and those whose names have been lost to time. I hi...more
Excellent throughout. Well written, not at all dry like some history. The author gives the background to Henry V's coronation, the Agincourt campaign, a full account of the battle, and then discusses the impact on both England and France. Throughout the book she discusses the various sources and modern interpretation of both key and trivial events so you get a sense of a balanced account.
Interesting, approachable book on the battle of Agincourt and the build up to it.
Full of interesting details such as the woman blacksmith involved in producing armaments for the campaign or how when Prince Hal was shot in the face by an arrow at the battle of Shrewsbury the wound was packed out much as large wounds are today.
Full of interesting details such as the woman blacksmith involved in producing armaments for the campaign or how when Prince Hal was shot in the face by an arrow at the battle of Shrewsbury the wound was packed out much as large wounds are today.
I found this book very entertaining. I am a novice reader regarding this time period and yet I was able to easily follow the story line with a solid understanding of the situations and characters surrounding the battle. Ms Barker effectively includes numerous side notes regarding warfare, politics and life in general which add extensively to the book. Very readable!
I read this after listening to Cornwell's Agincourt. At the end of the recording, he lists books he consulted while writing his novel. This was one of them.
The real history of Agincourt and the events surrounding it is almost as good as any soap opera, with murder, revenge, politics, and religion.
The real history of Agincourt and the events surrounding it is almost as good as any soap opera, with murder, revenge, politics, and religion.
I read this book a few months ago. I enjoyed it very much. The Auther not only covers the battle but the years and months leading up to the battle. She covers the men who fought the battle, the leadership or lack of leadership by the French. Covers the social cost to France. a must read for anyone interested in this famous battle. The title says it all.
This is a well researched book, and I learned much more about 15th century chivalry than I expected. Barker provides ample detail from contemporary sources, usually presenting the reader with the range of accounts provided at the time as well as what the "received" understanding is today. Occasionally, she asserts her own opinion in contrast to general opinion.
I bought the book to learn how Henry was able to win the battle of Agincourt, and I did learn that through this book. My only criticism i...more
I bought the book to learn how Henry was able to win the battle of Agincourt, and I did learn that through this book. My only criticism i...more
It's less of a military history than it is a general anthropological survey of the Agincourt period. This isn't a critique as much as it is a warning to those seeking battle plans, descriptions of armament and the like.
Still, it's authoritative and well researched. The writing is fluid and compelling and accurately portrays the inherent scale and drama of the campaign as well as exposing the motivations, social and personal (and interpersonal) that drove and drive HIStory.
Though her descriptions...more
Still, it's authoritative and well researched. The writing is fluid and compelling and accurately portrays the inherent scale and drama of the campaign as well as exposing the motivations, social and personal (and interpersonal) that drove and drive HIStory.
Though her descriptions...more
Long book for what I felt I got out of it in the end. Tells the whole story up to the battle but actual event seems to be very brief. Interesting though and I suppose a good intro to that time.
♥ ♥ ♥
Clear and fast-paced and well-written, with excellent endnotes and structure. Barker clearly has a massive crush on Henry V, and she justifies it.
Clear and fast-paced and well-written, with excellent endnotes and structure. Barker clearly has a massive crush on Henry V, and she justifies it.
Among the many things I like about this book was the section on the longbow and the archers of the day as well as the weaponry and aromorand fortifications in general.
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Juliet R. V. Barker (born 1958) is a British historian, specialising in the Middle Ages and literary biography. She is the author of a number of well-regarded works on the Brontës, William Wordsworth, and medieval tournaments. From 1983 to 1989 she was the curator and librarian of the Brontë Parsonage Museum.
Barker was educated at Bradford Girls' Grammar School and St Anne's College, Oxford, where...more
More about Juliet Barker...
Barker was educated at Bradford Girls' Grammar School and St Anne's College, Oxford, where...more
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Mar 20, 2013 08:06am