Causes of (and lead up to) the Battle of Agincourt Flashcards
What are the dates of the Hundred Years’ War?
1337-1453
What was the full date of the Battle of Agincourt? (2)
25th October 1415
Where is Agincourt?
Northern France in the pas-de-Calais region
What are Henry V’s reign dates?
1413-1422
Who commanded the English & French armies at the battle? (2)
Henry V & Constable of France, Charles d’Albret
What were the approximate size of the armies at the battle? (4)
English 6,000 (1,000 knights, 5,000 men-at-arms & archers)
French estimates vary widely from 30,000 to 100,000
Why were English numbers so reduced at Agincourt? (4)
There had been 30,000 English & Welsh troops that had landed in France in August
But the long siege of Harfleur, where disease had broken out, had reduced number to around 5,000.
Why had Henry V restarted the Hundred Years’ War? (2)
Henry V wanted to reassert his authority at home, and he had ambitions of his own.
Why was there unrest in England pre 1415? (3)
Political problems arose due to Henry IV (Henry V’s father) usurping the throne from Richard II in 1399.
The nobility who were loyal to Richard II, therefore, did not accept the legitimacy of Henry IV’s heirs.
Widespread lawlessness in the kingdom & several attempts on Henry V’s life.
How did Henry V react to political instability at home?
He thought by distracting the nobility from issues at home to the promise of ‘new’ French lands (through invasion) would work in unifying the nation.
The insanity of Charles VI of France made this the ideal moment to press his claims.
What happened at the port of Harfleur?
The English & Welsh army landed in August 1415 and laid siege to the strategic port.
It took much longer than anticipated to capture and did not fall until late September.
The army had been reduced from 30,000 to c 5,000 due to disease (typhoid broke out in camp in the hot summer), casualties & desertions.
What did Henry decide to do after Harfleur? (2)
He decided on a forced march through Northern France to the English held port of Calais – had been in English hands since Edward III captured it after the Battle of Crécy.
What problems did Henry encounter on the march to Calais?
He could not cross the Somme estuary, unlike Edward III on the Crécy campaign, and he was forced south and then across country.
This gave the large French army to catch them.
