Agincourt

Agincourt, now AZINCOURT, a small village in the centre of the French department of Pas-de-Calais, celebrated for a bloody battle between the English and French, October 25, 1415. The internal distractions of France under the imbecile Charles VI. had encouraged England to attempt to make good her ancient claims. Henry V. of England had landed at Harfleur, had taken that fortress, and was marching to Calais, in order to go into winter-quarters. But a French army, vastly superior in number, intercepted the English march to Calais, near the village of Agincourt. The invading army, weakened in numbers and suffering from want of provisions, was still 14,000 strong; the French, under the Constable D'Albret, numbered 50,000 or more. The battle lasted three hours, and was a signal victory for the English, due mainly to the archers. As many as 10,000 Frenchmen are said to have fallen, among whom were the Constable, three dukes, and ninety barons. Five princes, among them the Dukes of Orleans and Bourbon, were taken prisoners. The English lost 1600 killed.