Introduction
Agincourt is not remembered today for its place in the Hundred Years’ War, a dispute over the royal family’s inherited lands in France, which England lost. Thanks to a 1944 movie version, it is remembered as a symbol of Britain’s backs-to-the-wall defence against Nazi Germany, which the Free French helped us to win.
IN 1340, Edward III was persuaded by his Flemish allies to assume the title of ‘King of France’, precipitating the Hundred Years’ War.* Initial success gave way to a truce in 1396, and in 1415 the young Dauphin, Charles, impatiently demanded that Henry V renounce his great-grandfather’s claims, or come over and prove them in battle.*
The warlike Harry set out for Normandy at once.
After landing at Harfleur, Henry made for Calais, at that time an English town. But a French army met him near a castle called Agincourt on October 25th, the feast day of St Crispin.
The French vastly outnumbered the English, were in better health, and had the advantage of cavalry. Yet, the English won. Rain-soaked mud bogged the heavily-armoured French cavalry down, and their ill-discipline contrasted with Henry’s inspirational leadership. But perhaps the most important factor was the English archers with their longbows, at that time a new and deadly weapon, for which the French simply had no answer.
The deeper issue, however, was Aquitaine, a prosperous French province inherited from Henry II’s Queen Eleanor of Aquitain, and a major source of income to the Crown. See The Hundred Years’ War.
** Henry V’s father Henry IV was a son of John of Gaunt. John of Gaunt was a son of Edward III, making Henry V Edward III’s great-grandson.
Précis
In 1415, King Henry V took an army to France to underline his claims to the French throne, inherited from Edward III. Although the French had every advantage in numbers, battle-fitness and cavalry, the English longbow proved more than a match for them, and Henry returned home the unexpected victor. (50 / 60 words)
In 1415, King Henry V took an army to France to underline his claims to the French throne, inherited from Edward III. Although the French had every advantage in numbers, battle-fitness and cavalry, the English longbow proved more than a match for them, and Henry returned home the unexpected victor.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 45 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, because, if, just, must, or, since, whether.
Archive
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Dauphin. He. Set.
2 Bog. Contrast. Dead.
3 Health. Initial. Out.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
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