Agincourt is one of the most famous battles in English history, a defining part of the national myth. This groundbreaking study by Mike Livingston, author of Never Greater Slaughter, presents a new interpretation of Henry V's great victory. Agincourt is one of the most famous battles in English history, a defining part of the national myth. This groundbreaking study by Mike Livingston, author of Never Greater Slaughter, presents a new interpretation of Henry V's great victory.
'It's quite a feat to write an account of England's most famous battle that makes the reader feel like they're experiencing history that is fresh, new and exhilarating.' Dan Snow
King Henry V's victory over the French armies at Agincourt on 25 October 1415 is unquestionably one of the most famous battles in history. From Shakespeare's 'band of brothers' speech to its appearances in numerous films, Agincourt rightfully has a place among a handful of conflicts whose names are immediately recognized around the world.
The English invasion of France in 1415 saw them take the French port of Harfleur after a long siege, following which Henry was left with a sick and weakened army, which he chose to march across Normandy to the port of Calais against the wishes of his senior commanders. The French had assembled a superior force and shadowed the English Army before finally blocking its route. The battle that followed was an overwhelming victory for the English, with the French suffering horrific casualties. Agincourt opened the door for Henry V's further conquests in France.
Agincourt provides a new look at this famous battle. Mike Livingston goes back to the original sources, including the French battle plan that still survives today, to give a new interpretation, one that challenges the traditional site of the battlefield itself. It is a thrilling new history that not only rewrites the battle as we know it, but also provides fresh insights into the men who fought and died there.
Recenzijas
This astonishing book fixes the myth of Agincourt and adds to our understanding of what led to that slaughteryard of horrors, atrocities, and, for at least one side, unforgettable glories. * Bernard Cornwell, bestselling author of The Last Kingdom series * Livingston debunks myths, he explodes long-cherished historical theories, and he moves battlegrounds. -- Dan Jones * The Sunday Times Magazine * Its quite a feat to write an account of Englands most famous battle that makes the reader feel like theyre experiencing history that is fresh, new and exhilarating. * Dan Snow * Bold and conversational, forensic and vivid, this is an extraordinary history of Agincourt - full of remarkable insight - that grips from the very first word and doesnt let go. * Helen Castor, author of 'She-Wolves' * Michael Livingston continues to overturn centuries of scholarship, redefining some of the worlds most celebrated battles. Coupling ironclad scholarship with a breakneck narrative, Livingston cuts new historical ground. * Myke Cole, author of 'Legion versus Phalanx' and 'The Bronze Lie' * A thought provoking, thoughtful and fast-paced account of what one might think is one of the best known and understood medieval battles. Despite what we think we know, from reading Livingstons detailed book, it is clear that we arent really sure we even know exactly where this famous battle was fought! * Robert Woosnam-Savage FSA, Curator Emeritus, Royal Armouries * The battle of Agincourt has had many interpretations. Michael Livingstons is the latest, but also one of the best It tells a fresh, compelling story of the battle, the campaign that led up to it, and its aftermath. * Kelly Devries, Professor of History, Loyola University Maryland * An innovative historical reinterpretationAgincourt is an exciting retelling of the battle of Agincourt that brings forth new information about a topic believed to have been long since settled. * Foreword Reviews *
Papildus informācija
This groundbreaking study by Mike Livingston, as featured on History Hit's Agincourt, presents a new interpretation of Henry V's great victory.
Foreword
List of Illustrations
List of Maps
Introduction: We Happy Few
PART ONE: TWO BEGINNINGS
1. Shrewsbury and Scars, 21 July 1403
2. Assassination and Madness, 13 June 1392
PART TWO: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HUNDRED YEARS WAR
3. Crécy and the Model Glory, 133777
4. Young Kings, 137799
5. Civil Wars, 13991415
PART THREE: THE AGINCOURT CAMPAIGN
6. The Siege of Harfleur, 13 August22 September
7. Edwards Footsteps, 23 September15 October
8. Days of Desperation, 1623 October
PART FOUR: LOCATING AGINCOURT
9. Finding Agincourt
10. Reaching Agincourt, 24 October
11. Testing the Tradition
PART FIVE: THE BATTLE
12. The Morning, 25 October
13. The Battle, 25 October
14. The Days After, 141522
Suggested Reading and Acknowledgements
Endnotes
Index
Dr Michael Livingston teaches the military and cultural history of the Middle Ages at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. He is the author of Medieval Warfare, The Battle of Crécy: A Casebook, winner of the 2017 Distinguished Book Award from the Society for Military History, Never Greater Slaughter: Brunanburh and the Birth of England (Osprey, 2021) and Crécy: Battle of Five Kings (Osprey, 2021).
