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During the epic, to use the word correctly, Hundred Years’ War between England and France, the English obliterated the French forces at two early battles Crecy and Poitiers. The French, outraged, were submitted to English demands. English King Henry V’s demands were immense including money, land, and the French King’s daughter. France responded with lesser terms, but these were not good enough for Henry V. He assembled an army of 12,000 and landed in Normandy, France on October 8, 1415. After a few minor skirmishes and disease, the English found themselves in a precarious position. Food was running low, and the French were gathering a large force to expel the English. Henry now had to run, as the much larger French army was pinning the English back.
Finally, on the morning of October 25, Henry could no longer wait for battle with his army in such a dangerous position. He had initially drawn up a defensive position in response to the now 36,000 strong French army. French nobility thought this battle would be a cake-walk of sorts, because they did not account the English Longbowmen as a serious threat. French sources do not even mention the Longbowmen in the initial approach. This attitude proved to be foolish. English Longbowmen were ordered to remove the defensive stakes, a daring move as these stakes were the only protection against French Cavalry, and move forward into a striking position. As this was being done, Henry moved the small infantry forces forward, and occupied a road between two forests. The Lonbowmen hammered in their stakes and hid in the forests flanking the main English infantry. When the Longbowmen opened fire, the French Cavalry were sent into a disorganized mess. This action caused panic and confusion. When any sort of a cavalry force mustered a charge, the Longbowmen were equal to the task and destroyed this most dangerous threat with aplomb. The French Army now began to move forward with initial success, though casualties were large as the Longbowmen continued to reign in many volleys. As line upon line of French soldiers fell, each successive line found it more difficult to mount a charge. The melee became so heavy due to the press of troops and mud, that the French Army exhausted itself. Longbowmen could now no longer fire volleys as it would be too dangerous to their own army; however, because of the extreme exhaustion and lack of cavalry force, the Longbowmen, though light in armor, could join the English infantry. With this being done, the French were now in full retreat. Henry not wasting time, and wanting to strike a decisive blow, ordered prisoners slaughtered. As the remaining French army witnessed Henry’s brutality, they fled entirely.
Casualties were immense. Most sources, though there is no completely trustworthy chronicler, put the numbers close to 10 to 1 in favor of Henry. Most crippling were those killed in the battle. France lost many higher ranking officials and nobility – Three Dukes, Eight Counts, One Viscount, One Archbishop, many nobility, One Constable, One Admiral, Baillis of Nine northern towns with their sons, and supporters. Henry returned to England as a celebrated conqueror on November 16. He was given his triumph on November 23, 1415. France was in complete turmoil, and King Charles VI had to submit to English demands. He gave his daughter in marriage to King Henry V solidifying the Treaty of Troyes in 1420 ending this phase of the Hundred Years’ War.
armchaircapitalist 