Rent 100 Years' War: Agincourt: 1415 (2013)
1h 40min
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- Synopsis:
On 25 October 1415, Henry V's small and sickly Anglo/Welsh Army destroyed a vast French force at Azincourt. This film looks not only at this iconic battle, immortalized by Shakespeare and many other authors, but the campaign that led up to this final great English victory of the 100 Years War. Unlike the Crecy campaign of his great-grandfather Edward III, this campaign nearly ended in disaster. England had been weakened by civil war and plague and thus Henry's English army, despite its experience, was not such a cohesive force as the Army that Edward Ill led. However, despite its weaknesses it still proved itself superior to the French Army. Although the initial landings and encirclement of Harfleur went well, the siege dragged on and the 'Bloody Flux' struck the English. By the time Harfleur was captured, the English army was a shadow of its former self. Henry's march to Calais started well as the French were beset with problems but by the time the English reached the River Somme, the French Army stalked him, aiming to bring him to battle and destroy him and his socially inferior army. Once again the English victory on the field of Agincourt was a demonstration of the French genetic ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. As at Crecy, the courage, discipline and steadfastness of the mainly yeoman Anglo/Welsh archers and just a handful of men-at-arms, defeated a massive Army and turned the pride of French chivalry into a bloody ruin. In this programme, the BHTV team use their experience as soldiers and guides to bring this iconic campaign to life. The team examine the political, military and economic background of the campaign and bring the subject to life by visits to all the major locations. The film is also illustrated with the skillful use of maps and complimented by re-enactment footage, giving an idea of life and combat in the fifteenth century. - Actors:
- Tim Saunders
- Narrated By:
- Tim Saunders
- Studio:
- Pen and Sword
- Genres:
- Children & Family, Documentary, Special Interest
