Agincourt 1415: Triumph against the odds

Osprey Campaign #9

by Matthew Bennett

Osprey's Campaign title for one of the most important campaigns of the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453). Agincourt is one of the most evocative names in English military history. Henry V's forces were tired, hungry, and faced a French army three to six times more numerous. However, they possessed several advantages, and English success resulted from the combination of heavily armoured men-at-arms with troops armed with the infamous longbow - the havoc this weapon wreaked was crucial. Using original fifteenth century evidence, including the surviving French battle plan and the accounts of men present in both armies, this title discusses the lead-up to the battle, the tactical dispositions of the two forces and the reasons for the ultimate English success.

Genres: History, Military History, Medieval, Nonfiction, European History, Military Fiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 1991

About the author

Matthew Bennett (b. 1954) is a historian specialising in Medieval warfare.

Reviews

[Declan Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry V landed in France during the campaigning season of 1415, but when he decided to march to Calais, the French set about delaying him so his army suffered from lack of food and fatigue (although no proof of bad morale - possibly because he was deep in enemy terrority). Eventually he crossed the Somme and met the French army near the village of Agincourt...

... and won one of the greatest victories in the 14th/15th centuries.

This book gives a good detailed lead-up to the Agincourt battle, and then detailed maps (etc) of the battle itself as well as the aftermath. A great addition to the 'Campaign' series from Osprey and holds up to the expected standards.

[Christopher Dove · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Osprey Campaign series is an excellent series of books that I am collecting. This is the ninth in the series and covers the Agincourt campaign. These well illustrated books give a good overview and understanding of the strategy involved. Clear and well labelled maps are a consistent strength. This particular book however has not been one of my favourites in this series. My main criticism of this book is that the author seems to be far more interested in heraldry than I am! Six pages of the book are given over to black and white illustrations of the shields of both English and French participants in the battle. Each of them are described in heraldic language. So if you want to know that the shield is 'arms or a crequier plant eradicated gules', then perhaps this is the book for you. Personally this information didn't increase my insight or knowledge about the battle of Agincourt. Having said that, the other illustrations and maps are up to the usual high standards. Details of the actual battle are a little sketchy, but this is clearly because the battle took place over 600 years ago and our knowledge of it is based on just a few eye witness accounts.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A serviceable introduction to the subject with good background on the technologies and tactics of the day and the political situation that lead to the battle. The coverage of the battle itself, however, is only a few pages and is more like an encyclopedia entry than something you'd expect to find in a work on the battle. There are a number of good illustrations of men, equipment, and graphics of the battlefield, but the black and white photos of the area today are blurry, grainy, and poor. Overall, an adequate introduction to the battle but seriously lacking in some respects.

[Stephanie Molnar · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the more interesting Osprey history books I've read. Covered everything--strategy, weapons, history, important people. Other Osprey books focus on one thing only and it gets boring, but not this one!

[Malcolm Balster · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read historical account. No pretensions but useful solid facts based on sound research.
Having visited the actual village and battlefield, the last chapter on "The battlefield today" is out of date. It was written in 1991 before the excellent 1415 museum was built.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this immensely.

[William Prystauk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small but comprehensive work that enlightens. Bennett's work delivers as a broad introduction to the battle, which should inspire others to read more elsewhere.

Some of the writing is questionable, however, and I wish a more professional proofreader had indulged in the work beforehand.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good history of the Agincourt campaign, incorporating modern scholarship to update earlier accounts such as Burne's.

[John E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have used a lot less heraldry and a lot more history. Really disappointed with the presentation.

[Sean Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and short account of a famous victory. It goes a long way to explaining why France lost this one. That said, scholars now think the French did not have the overwhelming force often depicted in older histories like this.