The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters - June 08, 2025


PREVIEW： Epochs #214 ｜ Henry V： Part IX


Episode Stats

Length

27 minutes

Words per Minute

187.65065

Word Count

5,216

Sentence Count

39

Misogynist Sentences

4

Hate Speech Sentences

51


Summary


Transcript

00:00:00.000 Let me go back now to reading from Ian Morgan
00:00:16.480 Who gives us the most detail
00:00:17.820 All about that day
00:00:18.960 And then we'll sort of round up
00:00:20.660 So Friday the 25th of October 1415
00:00:23.260 The feast of St Crispian and St Crispian
00:00:25.580 Mortimer says quote
00:00:26.600 It is unlikely that Henry slept
00:00:28.220 At the best of times he needed very little rest
00:00:30.540 In the hours before dawn
00:00:31.900 He probably stayed in his house in Maisoncel
00:00:34.560 Discussing the battle ahead with members of his council
00:00:37.020 Hearing reports of the attack of the Count of Richemont
00:00:39.960 And waiting for the return of the scouts
00:00:41.880 He had sent to spy out the land during the night
00:00:44.340 Before dawn wearing his armour
00:00:46.000 He attended his first mass of the day
00:00:48.120 Sung by the priests of the royal chapel
00:00:50.120 He heard two more masses
00:00:51.580 Then rose from his knees
00:00:53.160 And lifted his helmet and spurs
00:00:54.920 He ordered an esquire to take ten men at arms
00:00:58.000 And twenty archers
00:00:59.220 And to guard the houses of the baggage wagons
00:01:01.740 Which would remain in Maisoncel
00:01:03.820 They would also guard the high status pages
00:01:06.240 And the army and the sick who could not fight
00:01:08.800 Outside it was growing light
00:01:10.280 It was time for the army to move out
00:01:12.260 Henry called for his horse
00:01:13.880 A small white one
00:01:15.000 And rode with his counsellors through the mud
00:01:17.080 In the village towards the battlefield
00:01:18.460 The sodden remains of the overnight bonfires
00:01:20.860 Were around them
00:01:21.580 Captains were raising and ordering the men
00:01:23.700 Who had sheltered in the tents and in the barns
00:01:26.000 And in the gardens and orchards
00:01:27.540 Henry instructed his trumpeteers to remain quiet
00:01:30.620 He did not want the French to hear the English
00:01:32.880 Nor to break the solemn air about the camp
00:01:35.220 Just as the English had passed the night in disciplined silence
00:01:38.680 So now they grouped together to face the French without a sound
00:01:42.040 Further up the field
00:01:43.120 About three quarters of a mile away
00:01:44.820 The French were also deploying their men
00:01:46.640 Like the English
00:01:47.600 Few of them had slept
00:01:48.820 Some of the English soldiers
00:01:50.240 Had heard them talking and shouting through the night
00:01:52.540 As they reorganised themselves in the rain
00:01:54.660 Many were soaked and tired
00:01:56.180 Some remarked that their horses had not neighed all night
00:01:59.440 As if sensing some calamity would befall them
00:02:02.040 But the lords who were drier were far more positive
00:02:05.080 They had succeeded in trapping the King of England
00:02:07.700 Tomorrow they would lead him and the Dukes of York and Gloucester
00:02:11.120 To Paris and Rouen as prisoners of the King of France
00:02:14.040 In arranging their forces
00:02:15.240 The French seemed largely to have ignored the royal plan
00:02:18.280 Drawn up at Rouen a few days earlier
00:02:20.340 They had stated that the Duke of Bourbon
00:02:22.520 The Marshal of France, Boussicot
00:02:24.400 And Gaillard Dauphin
00:02:26.040 Were to lead the vanguard
00:02:27.320 And the main battle was to be led by the Duke of Orléans
00:02:30.280 With the Dukes of Brittany and Anonçon
00:02:32.400 And the Constable d'Albrecht
00:02:34.040 The third battle, the rearguard
00:02:35.720 Was to be led by the Duke of Bar
00:02:37.880 And the Counts of Nevers, Charlois and Voudemont
00:02:41.100 Thus the original plan was for three battles
00:02:43.780 Plus the two wings and the special cavalry
00:02:46.400 To be led by the sentient of Hainan
00:02:48.480 The plan had to be adapted to a certain extent
00:02:51.200 As the Duke of Brittany
00:02:52.600 The Count of Charlois
00:02:54.000 And Tanegaya de Castel
00:02:55.740 Had not yet arrived
00:02:56.860 But also there were lords
00:02:58.540 Who were ardent for glory
00:03:00.060 And did not want to be in the rearguard
00:03:02.160 Those at the front, in the vanguard
00:03:04.280 Would see all the best action
00:03:05.920 And capture all the most valuable prisoners
00:03:07.880 Whoever managed to seize the King of England
00:03:10.160 Will not only become famous
00:03:11.700 But very wealthy
00:03:12.760 Subsequently, many of those in the rearguard
00:03:15.140 And main battle
00:03:16.140 Asked to be in the vanguard
00:03:17.660 Most of them got their way
00:03:19.140 In hindsight, too many of them got their way
00:03:21.180 It seems
00:03:21.560 The result was that the French
00:03:23.080 Started arranging themselves
00:03:24.380 In just two proper battles
00:03:26.120 One huge vanguard
00:03:27.520 Of about 4,800 to 5,000 men-at-arms
00:03:30.320 And the main battle
00:03:31.600 As it was termed
00:03:32.840 Consisting of about 3,000 men-at-arms
00:03:35.040 600 men-at-arms gathered on each wing
00:03:37.920 With their backs against the woods
00:03:39.460 On each side
00:03:40.200 There may also have been men-at-arms
00:03:42.440 In the rearguard
00:03:43.420 But if so
00:03:44.080 There were no more than 600 of them
00:03:46.000 Some sources claim
00:03:47.280 They were crossbowmen in the vanguard
00:03:49.020 But other chroniclers indicate
00:03:50.700 That the French lords' eagerness
00:03:52.760 To take prisoners
00:03:53.660 Meant that they placed their archers
00:03:55.300 In the rearguard
00:03:56.060 Just ahead of the infantry and pages
00:03:57.920 Who were with the wagons and baggage
00:03:59.880 One source expressly notes
00:04:01.600 That the 4,000 crossbowmen
00:04:03.240 Who were originally intended
00:04:04.360 To be at the front
00:04:05.360 To begin the battle
00:04:06.380 Were given permission to depart
00:04:08.360 By the lords
00:04:09.620 And they would not be needed
00:04:11.080 Presumably they took up
00:04:12.540 Their position in the rear
00:04:13.560 The author of the guester notes
00:04:15.440 That they shot from the back
00:04:16.640 And wings of the French army
00:04:17.940 And their bolts did little damage
00:04:19.960 Not long after dawn
00:04:21.340 The French were ready
00:04:22.460 So many men were in the vanguard
00:04:24.420 That the lines stretched
00:04:25.840 Right across the field
00:04:26.780 And into the woods
00:04:27.680 On both the Agincourt
00:04:29.060 And Tramacourt sides
00:04:30.320 As a result
00:04:31.280 The 600 men-at-arms
00:04:32.740 On each wing
00:04:33.420 Had to stand forward
00:04:34.620 Of the vanguard
00:04:35.360 So already
00:04:36.320 Immediately
00:04:37.040 There's just simply
00:04:37.820 Not enough room
00:04:38.600 For the whole French army
00:04:40.100 It's too packed
00:04:41.540 Mortimer goes on
00:04:42.540 In order to make
00:04:43.420 Their lances more rigid
00:04:44.460 And easier to wield
00:04:45.920 In a relatively confined space
00:04:47.840 They were told
00:04:48.820 To cut the narrow end
00:04:49.980 Of the wooden lance
00:04:50.900 And fix the steel head back
00:04:52.520 On the sturdiest
00:04:53.380 Shortened shaft
00:04:54.200 The lack of room
00:04:55.160 May also have led
00:04:55.960 To the decision
00:04:56.700 To send the crossbowmen
00:04:58.040 To the back of the army
00:04:58.980 They could not help
00:05:00.220 But be charged down
00:05:01.260 By the French knights
00:05:02.040 If they were at the front
00:05:03.040 Besides
00:05:03.660 The French decided
00:05:04.540 They would not need
00:05:05.460 Their crossbowmen
00:05:06.160 To break up the English formation
00:05:07.520 They would do that
00:05:08.680 With the heavy cavalry
00:05:09.560 As the Rouen plan
00:05:11.160 Had instructed
00:05:11.880 So here we told
00:05:12.780 There are a fair amount
00:05:13.760 Of cavalry
00:05:14.220 Now one of the other
00:05:15.240 Historians we read
00:05:16.360 A moment ago
00:05:16.820 Said there was
00:05:17.340 Almost none
00:05:18.400 Or if there were any
00:05:19.460 They were sort of
00:05:19.940 On the flanks
00:05:20.560 So you see
00:05:21.560 Different historians
00:05:22.420 Imagine what went down
00:05:24.480 A bit differently
00:05:25.500 Because the original accounts
00:05:27.220 Are a bit conflicting
00:05:28.660 But they don't all
00:05:29.560 Perfectly marry up
00:05:30.620 And line up
00:05:31.300 To paint one single
00:05:32.980 Clear picture
00:05:33.960 Mortimer continues
00:05:35.260 To what extent
00:05:36.200 These decisions
00:05:36.920 Were those of
00:05:37.660 The Duke of Orléans
00:05:38.540 Who was still a month
00:05:39.560 Short of his 21st birthday
00:05:41.040 Is unclear
00:05:41.940 One has to presume
00:05:43.280 That he listened
00:05:44.120 To the advice
00:05:44.780 Of the experienced
00:05:45.580 Military men
00:05:46.340 Like Bouchico
00:05:47.320 And Albert
00:05:48.000 And weighed it up
00:05:49.100 Against the advice
00:05:49.880 Of the other royal dukes
00:05:51.220 Bourbon and Bar
00:05:52.640 But this generalship
00:05:53.880 By advisory committee
00:05:55.000 Was bound to lead
00:05:56.360 To difficulties
00:05:56.940 It was probably the reason
00:05:58.480 Why so many men
00:05:59.340 Went into the vanguard
00:06:00.380 The young Duke of Orléans
00:06:01.600 No doubt thought
00:06:02.340 That he should
00:06:02.920 Take a leading position
00:06:04.280 In the vanguard
00:06:05.000 And so positioned himself
00:06:06.500 At the front
00:06:07.060 Rather than in the main battle
00:06:08.760 This was after all
00:06:09.980 An opportunity
00:06:10.700 For him to demonstrate
00:06:11.820 To the absent Duke of Burgundy
00:06:13.760 That he and the Armagnacs
00:06:15.620 Would uphold the honour of France
00:06:17.160 Having thus broken
00:06:18.300 The plan set at Rouen
00:06:19.580 It was difficult
00:06:20.480 To prevent the other
00:06:21.360 Important lords
00:06:22.220 From taking their places
00:06:23.340 In the vanguard too
00:06:24.380 If they so wished
00:06:25.600 This was a great mistake
00:06:26.880 For it resulted in
00:06:28.080 The crossbowmen
00:06:28.740 Being crowded out
00:06:29.800 And sent to the back
00:06:30.580 Of the army
00:06:31.100 Where they proved ineffective
00:06:32.640 Such errors indicate
00:06:34.400 That there was no real generalship
00:06:35.920 In the French army
00:06:36.700 There was only politics
00:06:38.080 Again terrible way
00:06:39.240 To do battle
00:06:39.960 Endless examples
00:06:41.100 In history
00:06:41.880 Of where politics
00:06:43.380 Got in the way
00:06:44.200 Of decent tactics
00:06:45.340 Or just common sense
00:06:46.720 Even
00:06:47.020 More so again
00:06:47.700 This advisory committee
00:06:48.980 Form of generalship
00:06:49.980 Led to other problems
00:06:51.420 For example
00:06:52.160 When exactly
00:06:52.800 Should the fight begin
00:06:53.740 Although the Count
00:06:55.140 Of Richemont
00:06:56.020 Had arrived
00:06:56.720 With his Breton troops
00:06:58.080 His brother
00:06:58.900 The Duke of Brittany
00:06:59.760 Had not
00:07:00.260 Everyone expected
00:07:01.320 That Brittany
00:07:01.960 Would arrive shortly
00:07:02.860 Not knowing
00:07:03.980 That he had no intention
00:07:05.020 Of turning up at all
00:07:05.940 In the meantime
00:07:07.060 His absence
00:07:07.880 Raised the question
00:07:08.600 Of whether the French
00:07:09.480 Should attack straight away
00:07:10.540 Or wait
00:07:11.280 The same question
00:07:12.320 Had been discussed
00:07:13.060 The previous day
00:07:13.840 When the two sides
00:07:14.920 Had first faced each other
00:07:16.080 The Duke of Bourbon
00:07:17.200 And other courtiers
00:07:18.260 Were all then
00:07:19.300 For attacking immediately
00:07:20.520 The experienced military men
00:07:22.140 Most notably
00:07:23.020 The constable
00:07:23.680 And the marshal
00:07:24.320 Were more wary
00:07:25.540 And inclined to wait
00:07:26.580 For the rest of the army
00:07:27.620 This was wise counsel
00:07:29.060 For the Seigneur de Longhi
00:07:30.800 Was still 18 miles away
00:07:32.620 With the 600 men at arms
00:07:34.600 Of the Duke of Anjou
00:07:35.660 As for the Duke of Brabant
00:07:37.240 He was still at Long
00:07:38.400 30 miles away
00:07:39.680 To be exact
00:07:40.560 At prime
00:07:41.240 About 7 o'clock
00:07:42.320 In the morning
00:07:42.820 He was attending mass
00:07:44.180 At the moment
00:07:45.160 He took holy communion
00:07:46.260 One Robert Jewell
00:07:47.760 Hurried into the chapel
00:07:49.040 To tell him
00:07:49.840 That the battle
00:07:50.420 With the English
00:07:51.320 Would take place
00:07:52.200 Before midday
00:07:52.940 Immediately
00:07:53.780 The Duke told his companions
00:07:55.500 To mark their clothes
00:07:56.820 With the white cross
00:07:57.620 And set out to fight
00:07:58.840 Another fainting
00:07:59.740 That arose
00:08:00.280 From the lack
00:08:00.720 Of generalship
00:08:01.380 Was the choice
00:08:02.120 Of battleground
00:08:02.800 The French might
00:08:03.700 Have succeeded
00:08:04.240 In cutting off
00:08:04.900 The English advance
00:08:05.680 To Calais
00:08:06.240 But in doing so
00:08:07.420 They had placed
00:08:08.220 Themselves in a narrow
00:08:09.160 Confined space
00:08:10.020 Between two woods
00:08:10.960 And with ground
00:08:11.900 Sloping away
00:08:12.600 On either side
00:08:13.420 Moreover
00:08:14.080 They were encamped
00:08:15.160 In a ploughed field
00:08:16.240 That had turned
00:08:17.060 Into a quagmire
00:08:18.060 As a result
00:08:18.720 Of the recent heavy rain
00:08:19.980 The conditions
00:08:20.920 Were going to get worse
00:08:21.940 With thousands of horses
00:08:23.200 Churning up the ground
00:08:24.160 The ground between
00:08:25.120 The two armies
00:08:25.840 Was no firmer
00:08:26.660 And dangerous
00:08:27.620 For galloping horses
00:08:28.760 Orléans did not
00:08:30.060 Have the experience
00:08:30.840 To order a change
00:08:31.680 Of location
00:08:32.220 And no one else
00:08:33.380 Had the authority
00:08:34.080 To suggest they move
00:08:35.360 No doubt
00:08:36.320 Some lords
00:08:36.960 Said that it would
00:08:37.880 Be dishonourable
00:08:38.640 To back away
00:08:39.320 In order to find
00:08:40.080 Better ground
00:08:40.700 Especially when they
00:08:41.760 Had six times
00:08:42.420 As many men at arms
00:08:43.400 As the English
00:08:44.380 And remember
00:08:44.940 Ian Mortimer said
00:08:45.600 It was probably only
00:08:46.160 Two to one
00:08:47.140 A few pages ago
00:08:48.540 And now he's saying
00:08:49.520 At least in terms
00:08:50.140 Of men at arms
00:08:50.860 It's six to one
00:08:51.800 Okay
00:08:52.300 He carries on saying
00:08:53.240 Those aware
00:08:54.000 Of the danger
00:08:54.520 Might have found it
00:08:55.280 Difficult
00:08:55.700 To suggest a better
00:08:56.780 Place to do baton
00:08:57.660 But the experienced
00:08:58.820 Military men
00:08:59.520 Could suggest
00:09:00.260 Nothing but waiting
00:09:01.100 The English were
00:09:02.100 Dispirited and hungry
00:09:03.040 And they relied
00:09:03.980 On being attacked
00:09:05.100 I.e. responding
00:09:06.180 To a French advance
00:09:07.260 The French could
00:09:08.220 Continue to starve
00:09:09.080 Them in the field
00:09:09.800 They had time
00:09:10.680 On their side
00:09:11.280 The French had time
00:09:12.260 On their side
00:09:12.680 That is
00:09:13.020 As Henry rode out
00:09:14.520 Of Maisoncel
00:09:15.480 On his small
00:09:16.420 White horse
00:09:16.980 And looked across
00:09:17.760 The field
00:09:18.140 Towards the French lions
00:09:19.160 He saw the undulations
00:09:20.520 Of the terrain
00:09:21.380 And realised how
00:09:22.480 The ground fell away
00:09:23.500 To the trees
00:09:24.460 On either side
00:09:25.340 There was scope
00:09:26.140 There for arranging
00:09:26.960 An ambush
00:09:27.540 To distract
00:09:28.480 The charging
00:09:29.380 French cavalry
00:09:30.080 His scouts
00:09:31.020 Would have informed
00:09:31.740 Him how soft
00:09:32.580 The ground was
00:09:33.220 And how slippery
00:09:34.080 But now he would
00:09:35.300 Have seen
00:09:35.740 The churned up mud
00:09:36.680 For himself
00:09:37.200 He also would have
00:09:38.340 Seen the lines
00:09:38.920 Of the French vanguard
00:09:39.880 Forming up ahead of him
00:09:41.200 Their spears
00:09:42.100 Like a forest
00:09:42.820 Quote
00:09:43.220 And the wings
00:09:44.240 Of mounted cavalry
00:09:45.180 Extended towards him
00:09:46.640 The task facing him
00:09:47.900 Must have seemed daunting
00:09:49.040 The English army
00:09:50.380 The English army
00:09:50.400 Began to form up
00:09:51.200 In the same three battles
00:09:52.380 As they had marched
00:09:53.440 From Harfleur
00:09:54.120 The vanguard
00:09:54.960 Under the Duke of York
00:09:55.960 Took the right hand side
00:09:57.140 Of the field
00:09:57.660 The Tramacor side
00:09:58.800 Henry himself
00:09:59.760 Would lead the main battle
00:10:01.000 Which formed up
00:10:01.820 In the centre
00:10:02.320 And on the left hand side
00:10:03.680 Of the field
00:10:04.180 The Agincor side
00:10:05.340 The rear guard
00:10:06.200 Formed up
00:10:06.800 Under the command
00:10:07.660 Of the old but experienced
00:10:09.020 Sir Thomas Lord Camoy
00:10:10.620 The archers hammered
00:10:11.720 Their sharpened wooden stakes
00:10:12.920 Into the ground
00:10:13.520 Before them
00:10:14.100 And presumably
00:10:14.960 Resharpened the points
00:10:16.220 Hoping thereby
00:10:17.120 To prevent a direct onslaught
00:10:18.640 Of the French cavalry
00:10:19.480 On their flanks
00:10:20.660 Were thorn bushes
00:10:21.560 And hedges
00:10:22.220 And directly in front of them
00:10:23.640 Was a small depression
00:10:24.700 In the ground
00:10:25.360 Meaning that anyone
00:10:26.500 Riding against them
00:10:27.580 Would have a short
00:10:28.460 But decidedly uphill struggle
00:10:29.900 At the end
00:10:30.520 Before hitting the sharpened stakes
00:10:32.460 This position was defensible
00:10:34.080 And the best
00:10:35.260 To withstand a French charge
00:10:36.740 As the hour
00:10:37.500 Approached prime
00:10:38.400 By seven o'clock
00:10:39.900 In the morning again
00:10:40.660 The last arrangements
00:10:41.860 Were made
00:10:42.460 To bring the army
00:10:43.420 Into a state of readiness
00:10:44.460 The archers were ordered
00:10:45.920 To replace their bow strings
00:10:47.320 Lest the ones
00:10:48.560 They currently have
00:10:49.500 Are wet
00:10:50.380 On the right flank
00:10:51.400 Henry sent an esquire
00:10:52.800 With 200 archers
00:10:54.040 To skirt around
00:10:54.920 The bushes and hedges
00:10:55.840 And to hide in the woods
00:10:57.140 On the tramacore side
00:10:58.260 On the left flank
00:10:59.520 He sent a group of men-at-arms
00:11:01.000 To conceal themselves
00:11:01.840 In the woods
00:11:02.360 On the Agincourt side
00:11:03.440 Those archers
00:11:04.340 In the battle centre
00:11:05.240 Were placed to the sides of it
00:11:06.900 Into wedge
00:11:08.080 Or triangular formations
00:11:09.400 Close to the archers
00:11:10.680 On the wings
00:11:11.220 This served
00:11:12.140 To create a tapering corridor
00:11:13.900 Through which any French troops
00:11:15.380 Would have to charge directly
00:11:16.920 To reach Henry
00:11:17.660 They would not be able
00:11:19.000 To sweep across the field
00:11:20.000 Towards him
00:11:20.660 Or come at the main battle
00:11:22.060 From an angle
00:11:22.760 Due to the stakes
00:11:23.940 As well as the archers
00:11:25.240 Themselves
00:11:25.800 So yeah
00:11:26.580 Very much funnelling
00:11:27.760 The French
00:11:28.640 Towards the middle
00:11:29.440 Where they want to go anyway
00:11:31.280 Because that's where the king is
00:11:32.620 Their main priors
00:11:33.940 So Henry's sort of
00:11:34.980 Doing everything right
00:11:35.840 His battle craft
00:11:37.280 His set up
00:11:38.880 Is very very good
00:11:40.200 Almost perfect
00:11:41.140 Mortimer goes on
00:11:41.980 This was important
00:11:42.980 As Henry knew
00:11:44.200 That the prime objective
00:11:45.360 Of the French
00:11:46.060 Was to capture or kill him
00:11:47.480 He had experienced
00:11:48.620 A similar situation
00:11:49.480 When fighting at Shrewsbury
00:11:50.800 In 1403
00:11:51.940 On that occasion
00:11:52.980 Henry's father
00:11:53.720 Had employed the tactic
00:11:55.100 Of having two men at arms
00:11:56.580 Clothed in royal armour
00:11:57.700 So that the enemy
00:11:58.720 Could not tell
00:11:59.380 Which man was actually the king
00:12:00.740 Guillaume Gruelle's
00:12:02.200 Chronicle of the life
00:12:03.240 Of the Count of Richemont
00:12:04.300 Asserts that Henry
00:12:05.560 Employed the same tactic
00:12:06.980 At Agincourt
00:12:07.720 This was probably
00:12:08.640 An unfounded assertion
00:12:10.120 Based on a later malicious attempt
00:12:12.520 To detract from
00:12:13.580 Henry's military reputation
00:12:14.860 Nevertheless
00:12:15.620 The idea it emboldens
00:12:17.600 That the person of the king
00:12:18.780 Was all important
00:12:19.520 To the outcome of the battle
00:12:20.600 Was undoubtedly true
00:12:22.060 Hence at the centre
00:12:23.320 Of the main battle
00:12:24.160 Was a concentrated mass
00:12:25.660 Of men at arms
00:12:26.420 Around the king
00:12:27.100 Here also were placed
00:12:28.480 Henry's five banners
00:12:29.540 Representing the Trinity
00:12:31.060 The Virgin
00:12:31.780 St George
00:12:32.740 St Edward the Confessor
00:12:34.120 And of course
00:12:34.880 The Royal Arms of England
00:12:36.300 And the banners of the lords
00:12:38.040 Whose retinues were present
00:12:39.500 There are many speeches
00:12:40.660 Recorded for Henry
00:12:41.440 At this point
00:12:42.040 One chronicle
00:12:43.220 The Brute
00:12:44.040 Has him asking
00:12:45.000 What time it was
00:12:45.860 On being told
00:12:46.780 That it was prime
00:12:47.620 He stated that
00:12:48.600 It was a good time
00:12:49.420 To be about to fight battle
00:12:51.020 On behalf of England
00:12:51.980 For many people in England
00:12:53.460 Would be at prayer
00:12:54.400 At that hour
00:12:55.140 Several other chronicles
00:12:56.720 Echo this
00:12:57.380 One has Sir Walter Hungerford's
00:12:59.120 Line about wishing
00:13:00.260 For more men
00:13:00.940 Together with Henry's
00:13:02.500 Maccabean response
00:13:03.780 Attributing the outcome
00:13:05.140 To God alone
00:13:05.940 Thomas Elham's chronicle
00:13:07.500 Has the king
00:13:08.320 Recalling the victories
00:13:09.580 Of Edward III
00:13:10.400 And his eldest son
00:13:11.460 The Black Prince
00:13:12.180 Which had been won
00:13:13.300 With fewer men
00:13:14.500 Thomas Walsingham
00:13:15.500 Gave Henry patriotic lines
00:13:17.100 Culled from the Roman poet Lucian
00:13:19.160 All the English writers
00:13:20.480 Writing long after the event
00:13:21.980 Felt obliged to give Henry
00:13:23.500 Suitably patriotic
00:13:24.800 Stirring words
00:13:25.660 Proving him
00:13:26.820 An inspiring leader
00:13:28.040 Even though
00:13:28.720 Any precise recollection
00:13:29.980 So long after
00:13:30.780 Such a tumultuous event
00:13:32.400 Would have been impossible
00:13:33.480 Even for those
00:13:34.620 Who had been present
00:13:35.340 Well maybe
00:13:36.200 Maybe not
00:13:36.820 Having said this
00:13:37.760 It is worth noting
00:13:38.800 That Lefebvre
00:13:39.540 Who was present
00:13:40.320 In the English army
00:13:41.260 Noted that Henry
00:13:42.400 Went along the battle line
00:13:43.580 Making many speeches
00:13:44.580 Not just one
00:13:45.360 According to him
00:13:46.420 Henry told the archers
00:13:47.680 How they could fight
00:13:48.620 Secure in their knowledge
00:13:49.720 That the war
00:13:50.620 Was a just one
00:13:51.400 And that the throne of France
00:13:52.840 Was his rightful inheritance
00:13:54.000 And that they had all
00:13:55.340 Been born in England
00:13:56.180 Where their mothers
00:13:57.200 Fathers
00:13:57.720 Wives
00:13:58.180 And children
00:13:59.000 Now were
00:13:59.920 At this very moment
00:14:00.880 And that
00:14:01.600 Quote
00:14:01.980 The French
00:14:02.660 Had boasted
00:14:03.360 That if any
00:14:03.940 English archers
00:14:04.640 Were captured
00:14:05.200 They would cut off
00:14:06.220 The three fingers
00:14:07.080 Of their right hand
00:14:08.060 So that neither man
00:14:09.500 Nor horse
00:14:10.240 Would ever again
00:14:11.080 Be killed by their arrows
00:14:12.220 While Lefebvre's account
00:14:13.800 Of Henry's speech
00:14:14.660 Has a ring of truth
00:14:16.040 And has a claim
00:14:17.100 Of authenticity
00:14:17.740 It is difficult to know
00:14:19.360 What to make
00:14:19.920 Of the speeches
00:14:20.660 Attributed to him
00:14:22.180 By the other French writers
00:14:23.280 For example
00:14:24.260 Juvenal d'Urcine's
00:14:26.120 Version of Henry's speech
00:14:27.460 Has him outlining
00:14:28.720 His claim
00:14:29.360 To the throne of France
00:14:30.720 And that it had fallen to him
00:14:32.300 To make good that claim
00:14:33.540 By conquest
00:14:34.260 And he's apparently
00:14:35.320 Supposed to have said
00:14:36.100 He had not come
00:14:36.980 As a mortal enemy
00:14:37.840 For he had not consented
00:14:39.360 To burning
00:14:39.920 Ravaging
00:14:40.540 Violating
00:14:41.560 Nor raping girls
00:14:42.420 And women
00:14:42.840 As they
00:14:43.560 The French
00:14:44.020 Had done
00:14:44.480 At Soissons
00:14:45.280 But he wished
00:14:46.160 To conquer gently
00:14:46.980 All that belonged to him
00:14:48.100 Not to cause any destruction
00:14:49.600 At all
00:14:50.040 Back to Mortimer
00:14:50.960 Who says
00:14:51.400 Quite how one could
00:14:52.700 Conquer gently
00:14:53.660 Is an interesting question
00:14:55.080 But more importantly
00:14:56.140 The reference
00:14:56.840 To the attack
00:14:57.740 On Soissons
00:14:58.480 In 1414
00:14:59.400 When a victorious
00:15:00.420 French army
00:15:01.040 Had killed large numbers
00:15:02.060 Of Burgundians
00:15:02.840 And raped many women
00:15:04.100 French women
00:15:04.700 Including nuns
00:15:05.960 Shows that
00:15:06.900 D'Urcine's main reasons
00:15:08.500 For making this point
00:15:09.500 Was a moral one
00:15:10.580 And not simply
00:15:11.440 A historical reflection
00:15:12.600 It was part of the tide
00:15:14.240 Of the French accusations
00:15:15.340 And blame
00:15:16.060 That immediately followed
00:15:17.260 The battle
00:15:17.720 He went on to stress
00:15:19.100 How Henry ordered his men
00:15:20.580 To lay aside
00:15:21.320 Their personal animosities
00:15:22.780 And embrace each other
00:15:24.000 Implying that the French
00:15:25.120 Themselves
00:15:25.680 Should have done this
00:15:26.660 And promised his men
00:15:27.760 The full value
00:15:28.660 Of any prisoners
00:15:29.380 They took
00:15:29.880 He even went so far
00:15:31.280 As to claim
00:15:31.820 That Henry promised
00:15:32.880 That all those
00:15:33.500 Fighting there
00:15:34.200 That day
00:15:34.980 Would henceforth
00:15:35.900 Enjoy the same privileges
00:15:37.100 As noblemen
00:15:37.920 The fact is
00:15:38.780 That most of the
00:15:39.620 Englishmen present
00:15:40.360 Would not have heard
00:15:41.380 The king's speeches
00:15:42.220 Only those near enough
00:15:43.740 As he rode up and down
00:15:44.960 The battle lines
00:15:45.680 But the importance
00:15:46.600 Of Henry's speech making
00:15:47.700 Was not so much
00:15:48.780 That he was heard
00:15:49.500 By his men
00:15:50.120 As that he was seen
00:15:51.160 By them
00:15:51.600 Just to know
00:15:52.380 That he was there
00:15:53.000 Was an inspiration
00:15:53.820 To many
00:15:54.320 His appearance
00:15:55.260 Was noted
00:15:55.780 By most of the
00:15:56.480 Chronicles
00:15:56.960 One described him
00:15:58.000 As
00:15:58.300 Quote
00:15:58.740 Clad in safe
00:15:59.780 And very bright
00:16:00.460 Armour
00:16:01.040 He wore on his
00:16:01.800 Head a splendid
00:16:02.460 Helmet
00:16:02.880 With a large
00:16:03.700 Crest
00:16:04.060 Which still
00:16:04.660 Survives today
00:16:05.420 Actually
00:16:05.700 And encompassed
00:16:06.680 With a crown
00:16:07.140 Of gold
00:16:07.620 And jewels
00:16:08.240 And on his
00:16:09.120 Body
00:16:09.420 A surcoat
00:16:10.100 With the arms
00:16:10.680 Of England
00:16:11.080 And France
00:16:11.680 From which
00:16:12.560 A celestial
00:16:13.160 Splendour
00:16:13.760 Gleamed
00:16:14.140 On the one
00:16:14.720 Side
00:16:15.060 From three
00:16:15.840 Golden flowers
00:16:16.740 Planted
00:16:17.500 In an azure
00:16:18.480 Field
00:16:18.920 On the other
00:16:20.000 From three
00:16:20.860 Golden leopards
00:16:21.740 Supported
00:16:22.540 In a ruby
00:16:23.220 Field
00:16:23.540 Sitting on a
00:16:24.500 Noble horse
00:16:25.160 As white as
00:16:25.720 Snow
00:16:25.980 Having also
00:16:27.060 Horses in
00:16:27.880 Waiting
00:16:28.240 Royally decorated
00:16:29.560 With the richest
00:16:30.260 Trappings
00:16:30.760 His army
00:16:31.680 Were much
00:16:32.160 Inspired
00:16:32.760 To martial
00:16:33.300 Deeds
00:16:33.760 End quote
00:16:34.440 Mortimer
00:16:34.760 Continues
00:16:35.240 The king's
00:16:35.780 Appearance
00:16:36.240 Was thus
00:16:36.800 Of importance
00:16:37.320 To both
00:16:37.800 Sides
00:16:38.220 For the
00:16:38.780 English
00:16:39.060 It was
00:16:39.480 Important
00:16:39.820 To know
00:16:40.280 He was
00:16:40.840 Sharing
00:16:41.080 Their danger
00:16:41.660 And in
00:16:42.260 Control
00:16:42.540 Of the
00:16:42.840 Army
00:16:43.120 For the
00:16:43.680 French
00:16:43.960 The dazzling
00:16:44.620 Spectacle
00:16:45.080 Of him
00:16:45.560 In his
00:16:45.940 Surcoat
00:16:46.380 Armour
00:16:47.080 And crowned
00:16:47.640 Helmet
00:16:47.960 Was the
00:16:48.580 Bait
00:16:48.840 That would
00:16:49.240 Draw them
00:16:49.800 Charging
00:16:50.280 Down the
00:16:50.660 Corridor
00:16:51.060 Of stakes
00:16:51.500 And archers
00:16:52.220 Henry
00:16:52.680 Was impatient
00:16:53.360 Waiting
00:16:53.880 For the
00:16:54.180 French
00:16:54.380 To attack
00:16:54.900 They had
00:16:55.520 Made no
00:16:55.980 Move
00:16:56.360 For an
00:16:56.760 Hour
00:16:57.000 At least
00:16:57.440 A small
00:16:58.080 Number
00:16:58.340 Of men
00:16:58.620 At arms
00:16:59.060 Had ridden
00:16:59.460 Out from
00:16:59.800 The French
00:17:00.140 Lines
00:17:00.500 And had
00:17:01.060 Approached
00:17:01.400 The English
00:17:01.780 Army
00:17:02.080 At a
00:17:02.380 Gallop
00:17:02.720 But these
00:17:03.260 Had been
00:17:03.540 Warned
00:17:03.860 Off
00:17:04.060 With a
00:17:04.360 Volley
00:17:04.560 Of
00:17:04.700 Arrows
00:17:05.120 At
00:17:05.560 Henry's
00:17:05.920 Orders
00:17:06.320 Now more
00:17:07.080 Riders
00:17:07.440 Were approaching
00:17:08.160 Heralds
00:17:09.000 The English
00:17:09.620 Army
00:17:09.940 Were jittery
00:17:10.600 The time
00:17:11.160 For negotiation
00:17:11.880 Had passed
00:17:12.520 Still
00:17:13.200 If negotiators
00:17:14.220 Were seen
00:17:14.880 To be
00:17:15.180 Pursuing
00:17:15.620 A dialogue
00:17:16.340 Henry
00:17:16.860 Had to be
00:17:17.280 Seen
00:17:17.480 To listen
00:17:17.840 To them
00:17:18.200 The
00:17:18.640 Chroniclers
00:17:19.180 Writing
00:17:19.520 About
00:17:19.840 These
00:17:20.080 Negotiations
00:17:20.840 At a
00:17:21.220 Later
00:17:21.400 Date
00:17:21.760 Concealed
00:17:22.520 The terms
00:17:23.060 Under layers
00:17:23.880 Of post-battle
00:17:24.780 Propaganda
00:17:25.460 Some French
00:17:26.400 Writers
00:17:26.680 Claimed
00:17:27.080 That Henry
00:17:27.800 Had previously
00:17:28.420 Sent his
00:17:28.920 Heralds
00:17:29.360 To the
00:17:29.820 French
00:17:30.060 Army
00:17:30.420 Asking
00:17:31.040 For safe
00:17:31.500 Passage
00:17:31.900 To Calais
00:17:32.420 Offering
00:17:33.240 To cede
00:17:33.720 Harfleur
00:17:34.300 And the
00:17:34.880 Castles
00:17:35.340 Below Calais
00:17:36.120 To restore
00:17:36.940 The prisoners
00:17:37.460 He had
00:17:37.920 Taken
00:17:38.360 And to
00:17:38.900 Pay
00:17:39.020 100,000
00:17:39.720 Crowns
00:17:40.240 In recompense
00:17:40.960 Obviously
00:17:41.840 None of the
00:17:42.340 English writers
00:17:42.960 Mentioned
00:17:43.320 Such a
00:17:43.780 Shameful
00:17:44.160 Request
00:17:44.620 In
00:17:45.040 Shakespeare
00:17:45.440 They have
00:17:45.900 The French
00:17:46.420 Herald
00:17:46.760 A good
00:17:48.600 Couple of
00:17:49.000 Times
00:17:49.280 Coming to
00:17:49.780 Henry
00:17:50.060 Asking
00:17:51.060 Whether he
00:17:51.440 Wants to
00:17:51.720 Just surrender
00:17:52.280 Before there's
00:17:52.880 Bloodshed
00:17:53.400 And you know
00:17:54.340 Shakespeare
00:17:54.760 Gives Henry
00:17:55.780 Great lines
00:17:56.700 Saying no
00:17:57.280 The only thing
00:17:58.020 The French
00:17:58.400 Will be able
00:17:58.760 To take
00:17:59.160 Off of me
00:17:59.720 Are my
00:18:00.540 Bones
00:18:00.980 Are my
00:18:01.460 Joints
00:18:01.920 You know
00:18:02.680 Come and
00:18:03.180 Get it
00:18:03.520 Bring it
00:18:03.980 On
00:18:04.180 Now I'm
00:18:04.480 Not surrendering
00:18:05.080 And don't
00:18:06.060 Come back to
00:18:06.460 Me again
00:18:06.740 Asking to
00:18:07.360 Because it's
00:18:08.480 On
00:18:08.720 You're the
00:18:09.300 Ones
00:18:09.540 Who have
00:18:09.840 Forced this
00:18:10.360 If you
00:18:10.700 Want to
00:18:10.960 Let me
00:18:11.420 Just go
00:18:11.800 To Calais
00:18:12.320 I'll
00:18:12.520 Just go
00:18:12.760 To Calais
00:18:13.240 But you're
00:18:13.880 Not letting
00:18:14.280 Me do
00:18:14.580 That
00:18:14.800 So it's
00:18:15.360 On
00:18:15.540 I'm not
00:18:16.060 Going to
00:18:16.260 Give in
00:18:16.920 Come all
00:18:17.380 This way
00:18:17.800 It's one
00:18:18.440 Thing Henry
00:18:18.900 V doesn't
00:18:19.540 Do
00:18:19.860 It's
00:18:20.480 Surrender
00:18:20.880 Again
00:18:50.180 And that's
00:18:50.480 In the
00:18:50.720 Shakespeare
00:18:51.040 Play
00:18:51.420 And a lot
00:18:52.040 Of the
00:18:52.260 Histories
00:18:52.600 All the
00:18:53.360 Histories
00:18:53.620 Really
00:18:53.940 Mention this
00:18:55.240 That there's
00:18:56.140 Still negotiations
00:18:57.400 Going on
00:18:58.340 Late into
00:18:59.300 The morning
00:18:59.780 Basically the
00:19:00.860 French keep
00:19:01.460 Asking Henry
00:19:02.380 Surrender
00:19:03.400 And Henry
00:19:04.400 Keeps refusing
00:19:05.260 To
00:19:05.640 But we'll
00:19:06.180 Continue the
00:19:06.980 Story here
00:19:07.500 Saying
00:19:07.800 The
00:19:08.260 Chroniclers
00:19:08.800 Writing about
00:19:09.580 These negotiations
00:19:10.360 At a later
00:19:10.860 Date
00:19:11.140 Concealed the
00:19:12.000 Terms
00:19:12.480 Under layers
00:19:13.100 Of post-battle
00:19:13.960 Propaganda
00:19:14.580 Some French
00:19:15.500 Writers
00:19:15.800 Claimed that
00:19:16.260 Henry
00:19:16.520 Had previously
00:19:17.520 Sent his
00:19:18.060 Heralds
00:19:18.520 To the
00:19:18.760 French army
00:19:19.260 Asking for
00:19:20.000 A safe
00:19:20.320 Passage
00:19:20.680 To Calais
00:19:21.200 Offering to
00:19:22.120 See
00:19:22.320 Trofleur
00:19:22.940 And the
00:19:23.440 Castles
00:19:23.820 Below Calais
00:19:24.560 To restore
00:19:25.320 The prisoners
00:19:25.880 He had
00:19:26.340 Taken
00:19:26.760 And to
00:19:27.280 Pay
00:19:27.440 100,000
00:19:28.240 Crowns
00:19:28.800 In
00:19:28.940 Recompense
00:19:29.560 Obviously
00:19:30.380 Obviously
00:19:30.420 None
00:19:30.680 Of the
00:19:30.900 English
00:19:31.180 Writers
00:19:31.520 Mentioned
00:19:32.040 Such a
00:19:32.320 Shameful
00:19:32.680 Request
00:19:33.100 Once again
00:19:33.700 That's
00:19:33.920 Something to
00:19:34.300 Mention
00:19:34.480 Both sides
00:19:36.240 After the
00:19:36.760 Fact
00:19:37.040 Did
00:19:37.640 Propagandise
00:19:38.680 This thing
00:19:39.300 Right
00:19:39.840 There's no
00:19:40.540 Doubt that
00:19:40.940 It's a
00:19:41.400 Significant
00:19:41.940 Very very
00:19:42.560 Significant
00:19:43.160 English victory
00:19:44.300 But still
00:19:45.460 You would
00:19:46.200 Play it up
00:19:46.900 Still you
00:19:47.900 Would
00:19:48.160 Exaggerate it
00:19:49.260 A bit
00:19:49.660 For political
00:19:50.760 Reasons
00:19:51.240 If not
00:19:51.860 Just for
00:19:52.280 Straight up
00:19:53.180 Glory
00:19:53.660 And the
00:19:54.520 French
00:19:54.880 Of course
00:19:55.420 Obviously
00:19:55.880 Are going to
00:19:56.540 Want to try
00:19:57.140 And downplay
00:19:58.080 It as much
00:19:58.620 As possible
00:19:59.100 Okay
00:19:59.560 Negotiations
00:20:00.360 Of some
00:20:01.280 Description
00:20:01.760 Did take
00:20:02.300 Place
00:20:02.640 However
00:20:03.140 It appears
00:20:03.780 Most likely
00:20:04.340 That the
00:20:04.700 French sent
00:20:05.240 Negotiators
00:20:05.800 To Henry
00:20:06.260 They may
00:20:06.940 Have offered
00:20:07.400 Him safe
00:20:07.820 Passage
00:20:08.220 To Calais
00:20:08.760 In return
00:20:09.520 For significant
00:20:10.300 Concessions
00:20:11.060 Including his
00:20:12.060 Renunciation
00:20:12.740 Of the
00:20:13.500 Throne of
00:20:14.000 France
00:20:14.440 Which he
00:20:15.220 Was never
00:20:16.060 Going to
00:20:16.320 Do
00:20:16.480 That's the
00:20:16.860 Whole point
00:20:17.380 Of this
00:20:17.700 Thing
00:20:17.940 Is to
00:20:18.380 Press his
00:20:18.760 Claim
00:20:19.060 But the
00:20:19.620 French
00:20:19.880 Were not
00:20:20.320 Serious
00:20:20.820 They were
00:20:21.460 Playing
00:20:21.720 For time
00:20:22.240 Again
00:20:22.780 Henry
00:20:23.020 Wants to
00:20:23.440 Do it
00:20:23.840 As quickly
00:20:24.260 As possible
00:20:24.760 Wants the
00:20:25.460 Battle
00:20:25.640 To start
00:20:26.140 As quickly
00:20:26.920 As possible
00:20:27.340 And the
00:20:27.640 French
00:20:27.940 Wants to
00:20:28.800 Drag it
00:20:29.120 Out
00:20:29.320 It's in
00:20:29.700 Their interest
00:20:30.340 The longer
00:20:31.040 It takes
00:20:31.640 The more
00:20:32.060 Men they're
00:20:32.440 Going to
00:20:32.580 Have
00:20:32.800 Because more
00:20:33.380 Frenchmen
00:20:33.980 Are streaming
00:20:35.080 In every
00:20:35.920 Moment
00:20:36.220 Almost
00:20:36.600 Among the
00:20:37.260 Negotiators
00:20:38.080 Were Gaillard
00:20:39.040 Dauphin
00:20:39.540 And Jacques
00:20:40.560 Deheli
00:20:41.000 When their
00:20:41.760 Terms had been
00:20:42.400 Formerly
00:20:42.780 Presented to
00:20:43.340 The English
00:20:43.700 Council
00:20:44.100 And dismissed
00:20:44.760 The heralds
00:20:45.680 Were told
00:20:46.000 To depart
00:20:46.600 It would
00:20:47.180 Appear
00:20:47.620 That Deheli
00:20:48.360 Then offered
00:20:49.280 To fight
00:20:49.700 A personal
00:20:50.280 Jewel
00:20:50.760 With anyone
00:20:51.380 In the
00:20:51.760 English army
00:20:52.380 Who claimed
00:20:53.120 He had
00:20:53.500 Escaped
00:20:53.860 His custody
00:20:54.460 In England
00:20:55.640 Against the
00:20:56.000 Laws of
00:20:56.360 Chivalry
00:20:56.820 Jewels
00:20:57.460 Before a
00:20:58.020 Battle
00:20:58.260 Were not
00:20:58.660 Uncommon
00:20:59.140 It was a
00:20:59.840 Chance for
00:21:00.260 A man-at-arms
00:21:00.880 To win
00:21:01.260 Great prestige
00:21:02.080 Fighting in
00:21:02.900 Front of
00:21:03.160 A large
00:21:03.500 Crowd of
00:21:03.920 Soldiers
00:21:04.380 But on
00:21:04.980 This occasion
00:21:05.500 It was
00:21:06.100 Just another
00:21:06.640 Delaying
00:21:07.120 Tactic
00:21:07.580 The troops
00:21:08.340 Were anxious
00:21:09.020 By now
00:21:09.820 It was
00:21:10.040 Probably
00:21:10.380 Just past
00:21:11.080 Nine o'clock
00:21:11.620 In the morning
00:21:12.200 And they
00:21:12.920 Had been
00:21:13.260 Standing still
00:21:14.080 In their
00:21:14.420 Battle formations
00:21:15.160 For the
00:21:15.920 Best part
00:21:16.380 Of three
00:21:16.800 Hours
00:21:17.260 So Henry
00:21:18.420 Tersely
00:21:18.880 Denied
00:21:19.380 His
00:21:19.800 Jewel
00:21:20.140 And told
00:21:20.860 Him
00:21:21.100 That he
00:21:21.480 Could
00:21:21.680 Expect
00:21:22.000 To be
00:21:22.260 Prisoner
00:21:22.640 Of the
00:21:25.640 Nations
00:21:25.680 Were taking
00:21:26.060 Place
00:21:26.460 The French
00:21:27.100 Were also
00:21:27.560 Growing
00:21:27.920 Restless
00:21:28.480 Some men
00:21:29.340 Received
00:21:29.840 The honour
00:21:30.340 Of knighthood
00:21:31.060 It was said
00:21:31.820 That five hundred
00:21:32.520 French knights
00:21:33.160 Were dubbed
00:21:33.620 Before the battle
00:21:34.400 One of them
00:21:35.220 Was Philip
00:21:35.700 Count of
00:21:36.160 Nevers
00:21:36.540 Who was
00:21:37.280 Knighted
00:21:37.760 By a
00:21:38.140 Bouchico
00:21:38.620 Eighteen
00:21:39.300 Men in
00:21:39.720 The company
00:21:40.180 Of the
00:21:40.640 Seigneur
00:21:41.000 De Croix
00:21:41.540 Swore an
00:21:42.340 Oath
00:21:42.500 That when
00:21:43.140 The two
00:21:43.480 Sides
00:21:43.780 Came
00:21:44.060 Together
00:21:44.440 They would
00:21:45.260 Either
00:21:45.520 Knock
00:21:45.760 The crown
00:21:46.100 Of Henry's
00:21:46.660 Head
00:21:46.960 Or they
00:21:47.520 Would die
00:21:47.860 Trying
00:21:48.340 For Henry
00:21:49.140 The time
00:21:49.640 Wasting
00:21:49.980 Was a cause
00:21:50.700 Of concern
00:21:51.320 His men
00:21:51.940 Were eager
00:21:52.300 To get
00:21:52.580 The fight
00:21:55.640 The guestor
00:21:56.260 Sitting on
00:21:57.160 A horse
00:21:57.580 At the back
00:21:58.040 Of the army
00:21:58.620 Thought the
00:21:59.560 French were
00:21:59.960 Trying to
00:22:00.440 Defeat the
00:22:00.900 English
00:22:01.200 Through hunger
00:22:01.880 Others in
00:22:02.940 The ranks
00:22:03.360 Could not
00:22:03.780 Understand the
00:22:04.460 Reluctance
00:22:04.940 Of the
00:22:05.180 French
00:22:05.420 To do
00:22:05.760 Battle
00:22:06.100 Considering
00:22:06.880 They had
00:22:07.360 So many
00:22:07.800 Men at
00:22:08.100 Arms
00:22:08.560 What were
00:22:09.140 They doing
00:22:09.600 Perhaps
00:22:10.340 This was
00:22:10.740 Where the
00:22:11.200 Rumour
00:22:11.500 That the
00:22:11.800 French
00:22:12.080 Were playing
00:22:12.540 Dice
00:22:12.920 For the
00:22:13.280 Honour
00:22:13.620 Of imprisoning
00:22:14.440 The great
00:22:14.820 Lords of
00:22:15.180 England
00:22:15.440 Came
00:22:15.760 From
00:22:16.060 Whatever
00:22:16.740 The cause
00:22:17.260 The tension
00:22:18.120 Was threatening
00:22:18.820 To break
00:22:19.280 The discipline
00:22:19.780 Of the
00:22:20.140 Army
00:22:20.500 Henry
00:22:21.180 Therefore
00:22:21.680 Put the
00:22:22.240 Question
00:22:22.540 To his
00:22:22.880 Council
00:22:23.300 What if
00:22:24.120 The English
00:22:24.600 Were to
00:22:25.140 Do the
00:22:25.420 Unthinkable
00:22:26.080 And attack
00:22:26.960 This strategy
00:22:27.840 Sounds entirely
00:22:28.620 Logical
00:22:29.140 But it was
00:22:30.140 Counterintuitive
00:22:30.880 To the
00:22:31.260 English
00:22:31.540 Military
00:22:31.960 Mind
00:22:32.380 Of 1415
00:22:33.420 The textbook
00:22:34.300 Longbow
00:22:34.780 Victory
00:22:35.140 Was achieved
00:22:35.980 By having
00:22:36.420 Archers
00:22:36.820 On the
00:22:37.080 Flanks
00:22:37.460 In a
00:22:37.980 Defensive
00:22:38.380 Position
00:22:38.840 Just as
00:22:39.580 Henry
00:22:39.800 Had arranged
00:22:40.260 Them
00:22:40.480 And shooting
00:22:41.180 At the
00:22:41.500 Charging
00:22:41.880 Enemy
00:22:42.180 As they
00:22:42.660 Approached
00:22:43.160 That had
00:22:43.940 Been the
00:22:44.240 Secret
00:22:44.500 Of the
00:22:44.940 First
00:22:45.280 Mass
00:22:45.620 Longbow
00:22:46.040 Victory
00:22:46.440 At
00:22:47.140 Duplin
00:22:47.620 Moor
00:22:47.920 In
00:22:48.080 1332
00:22:48.940 And
00:22:49.640 Edward
00:22:49.880 III
00:22:50.240 Had perfected
00:22:50.960 The strategy
00:22:51.500 At
00:22:52.000 Hallidon
00:22:52.460 Hill
00:22:52.660 In 1333
00:22:53.640 And
00:22:54.260 Cressy
00:22:54.640 In 1346
00:22:55.640 Henry
00:22:56.200 Was simply
00:22:56.720 Following
00:22:57.080 A technique
00:22:57.720 That had
00:22:58.080 Been tested
00:22:58.540 Over the
00:22:59.040 Last 80
00:22:59.580 Years
00:23:00.020 But to
00:23:00.640 Attack
00:23:01.200 With
00:23:01.760 Mass
00:23:02.000 Longbows
00:23:02.560 Was unusual
00:23:03.540 Henry
00:23:04.180 Would have
00:23:04.580 Known
00:23:04.860 It could
00:23:05.220 Be done
00:23:05.660 On a
00:23:05.980 Relatively
00:23:06.320 Small
00:23:06.660 Scale
00:23:07.040 He
00:23:07.460 Himself
00:23:07.800 Had probably
00:23:08.260 Used the
00:23:08.860 Tactic
00:23:09.160 In
00:23:09.360 Wales
00:23:09.700 And
00:23:10.240 And
00:23:10.260 The
00:23:10.380 Late
00:23:10.580 Earl
00:23:10.840 Of
00:23:40.840 accurately and fast and advancing quickly in formation were incompatible. The situation was
00:23:46.640 best summed up by one English chronicler in the following passage. The king, considering that a
00:23:51.360 great part of the short day was already passed and firmly believing that the French were not
00:23:55.520 inclined to move from their position, consulted the most experienced officers of his army whether
00:24:00.640 he should advance with his troops in the order in which they stood towards the enemy that was
00:24:05.100 refusing to come towards him. Having fully considered the circumstances of such an important
00:24:09.480 matter, they wisely decided that the king should march with his army towards the enemy and attack
00:24:14.240 them in the name of God, for they considered that the English army, very much wearied with hunger,
00:24:19.080 illness and marching, was not likely to obtain any refreshment in the enemy's country and that the
00:24:24.180 longer they remained there the more they would suffer from weakness and exhaustion, whereas the
00:24:28.180 enemy, being among friends, could easily obtain whatever they needed and as a result of the delay
00:24:33.360 accumulated new and greater strength by the arrival of fresh troops. Therefore the king's advisors
00:24:38.240 finally concluded that further delay was damaging to the English but advantageous to the French.
00:24:44.000 The king considered it would be difficult and dangerous to leave his position, yet to avoid
00:24:48.260 greater dangers, with the greatest of courage, he set his army an example of how they could march
00:24:53.740 towards the enemy, preserving their current formation. He commanded that his own chaplains and all the
00:24:59.360 priests of the army should start to pray and that the heralds should attend only to their own
00:25:04.240 duties and not take up arms, end quote. Mortimer continues. This account is convincing. Henry was
00:25:10.900 frightened to leave his position but he did so anyway. We have noted that Henry was extremely cautious
00:25:16.480 in his strategic moves to this point. He demonstrated a high degree of caution in his choice of landing
00:25:22.280 place at Harfleur. He was very cautious in his attacks on the walls of that town, preferring to blast at
00:25:28.060 them rather than risk sustained assaults. After leaving Harfleur, he did not attack any other town
00:25:32.900 and avoided confrontation wherever he could, at Blanchequay and after leaving Perron. So for him
00:25:38.300 now to be reluctant to give up his defensive position was entirely in character and understandable.
00:25:44.220 That he did so, and gave the order to advance banners, was a mark of outstanding courage.
00:25:49.460 It proved to be the single most important decision of his life.
00:25:52.560 Yeah, it does seem to be, doesn't it, that when you look at the battle as a whole,
00:25:56.920 that everything Henry did kind of worked perfectly. And this is part of it. It's still the opening
00:26:02.860 gambit, isn't it, really, of the battle. But it seems like it was something he needed to do.
00:26:07.620 In hindsight, it was probably the perfect thing to do. Okay, Ian Mortimer continues.
00:26:12.560 One struggles to imagine what went through the minds of the English archers when the word went
00:26:17.180 round to advance. They, the few, hungry and fatigued, were going to advance against this seeming
00:26:23.400 mass of French men-at-arms, their social and military superiors. In order for their bows to
00:26:28.500 work effectively, they would certainly need to be within 200 yards of the enemy, and preferably less
00:26:33.940 than half of that to shoot accurately. A charging mounted man-at-arms could cover a distance of 100
00:26:39.480 yards in 10 seconds, so the archers could be charged down before they came within effective
00:26:44.720 killing range. The one advantage they had was that they could shoot rapidly. Crossbowmen in such a
00:26:50.060 situation would have been helpless, because they could not shoot quickly enough, but archers could
00:26:54.960 lose a dozen or more arrows a minute. Against a thousand charging knights on horseback, each
00:27:00.160 weighing half a ton and travelling at 600 yards per minute, 20 miles per hour, this was crucial,
00:27:05.760 for only by bringing down enough horses could they slow the charge. The question was, could the English
00:27:11.440 archers get close enough to bring down enough horses? When the order was given to prepare for the
00:27:15.920 banners to advance, the English were terrified but ready. All the men-at-arms had dismounted and were
00:27:21.480 ready to run in their armour. Some of the archers were preparing to take their stakes with them,
00:27:26.140 others just knew that they had to advance quickly and decided to leave their stakes behind. Others
00:27:30.920 were probably too scared to know what they should do. Many men were praying, many were bending down and
00:27:36.440 putting a small piece of earth into their mouths, preparing for the moment of their death and the
00:27:40.780 last judgement. We hope you enjoyed that video and if you did, please head over to lotusseeters.com
00:27:45.780 for the full unabridged video.