Dan Snow's History Hit The Battle of Agincourt
Oct 2, 2025
Dive into the thrilling tale of the Battle of Agincourt, where Henry V's outnumbered English army defied the odds against the French. Explore the strategic blunders and chaos that led to a dramatic English victory. Discover how the muddy terrain and the prowess of longbowmen shaped the battle, along with the fallout of casualties on both sides. Learn about the cultural impact and myth-making surrounding Agincourt, from Shakespeare's fiction to its role in British national identity.
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Long Roots Of The Conflict
- The roots of Agincourt trace back to the Norman conquest and the tangled dual loyalties of English kings as French dukes.
- That dynastic overlap and succession crises sparked the Hundred Years' War and framed Henry V's claim on France.
Henry's Violent Apprenticeship
- Dan Snow recounts Henry V's brutal apprenticeship in warfare, including being wounded at Shrewsbury.
- Those experiences shaped Henry into a battle-hardened king intent on reclaiming French lands.
Unite A Nation With Foreign Campaigns
- Use a unifying external campaign to consolidate internal political support.
- Henry used the French claim to rally Parliament and secure taxation for invasion.
