Agincourt: A New History

In this military history, Anne Curry examines the 1415 Battle of Agincourt through analysis of primary sources and archaeological evidence. She reconstructs the key events leading up to the conflict between English and French forces during the Hundred Years' War. The book investigates the size of the armies, battle tactics, weaponry, and conditions faced by soldiers on both sides. Curry draws from medieval chronicles, administrative records, and battlefield archaeology to challenge long-held assumptions about the famous battle. Through documentation and data, Curry reassesses the numbers of troops involved and examines the political context surrounding Henry V's campaign in France. The work includes maps, illustrations, and detailed appendices covering army composition and casualty figures. This history strips away centuries of mythology to reveal the complex military and political realities of medieval warfare. The research presents Agincourt as a case study in how historical narratives evolve and persist across generations.

Readers commend Curry's thorough research and use of primary sources to challenge traditional narratives about the Battle of Agincourt. Many appreciate her examination of military records, pay rolls, and administrative documents to establish more accurate troop numbers. Readers liked: - Clear breakdown of medieval military organization - Detailed analysis of weapons and tactics - High-quality maps and illustrations - Methodical approach to examining historical sources Readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Repetitive sections - Limited coverage of the battle itself - Too much focus on administrative details Several readers note the book works better as a reference than a narrative history. One reviewer stated "it reads more like a PhD thesis than a popular history book." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (41 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) The most common criticism is that the writing can be dry and technical for general readers seeking a more engaging battle narrative.

The Hundred Years War by Jonathan Sumption A comprehensive examination of the entire Anglo-French conflict provides context for the events at Agincourt through military, political, and social perspectives.

The Face of Battle by John Keegan The chapter on Agincourt connects to detailed analysis of medieval combat tactics and the soldier's experience on the battlefield.

The Battle of Poitiers 1356 by David Green This account of another pivotal English victory during the Hundred Years War parallels the tactical and strategic elements found at Agincourt.

The Knights of England by Peter Coss The social and military structure of medieval English knighthood illuminates the command structure and nobility present at Agincourt.

Armies at Crecy and Agincourt by Christopher Rothero The military organization, weapons, and battlefield tactics of both English and French forces reveal the mechanics behind medieval warfare.

🏰 Anne Curry spent over 20 years researching the Battle of Agincourt, challenging many long-held myths about the famous conflict through meticulous examination of primary sources. ⚔️ The book reveals that, contrary to popular belief, the English army wasn't as heavily outnumbered as traditionally thought - closer to 12,000 French versus 9,000 English, rather than the oft-quoted 60,000 versus 6,000. 👑 Through her research, Curry discovered that Henry V paid his archers the same daily rate as his men-at-arms during the campaign, breaking with medieval military tradition. 📜 The author drew extensively from financial records and muster rolls in both English and French archives, many of which had never been fully analyzed in previous histories of the battle. 🎭 Curry's work directly influenced the historical accuracy of the 2019 film "The King" starring Timothée Chalamet, as she served as a historical consultant for the production.