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: although, besides, if, must, otherwise, since, until, whereas.
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 Battle. His. Prove.
2 But. Initial. Win.
3 Have. Heavy. Longbow.
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.)
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
std (8+5)
ousted. seated. sited. stadia. stood. stud. studio. suited.
sated. sauted. sauteed. staid. steed.
Post Box : Ask Nicholas
Grok : Ask Grok
You are welcome to share your creativity with me, or ask for help with any of the exercises on Clay Lane. Write to me at this address:
See more at Post Box.
If you like what I’m doing here on Clay Lane, from time to time you could buy me a coffee.
Buy Me a Coffee is a crowdfunding website, used by over a million people. It is designed to help content creators like me make a living from their work. ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ prides itself on its security, and there is no need to register.
Related Posts
Following the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, King Henry V instructed the Church of York to recognise the contribution of one of her eighth-century bishops.
Picture: © Graham Hermon, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 generic.. Source.
Posted May 8 2021
A few years before the Battle of Agincourt, the Duke of Orléans challenged King Henry IV to meet him in Bordeaux for a winner-takes-all joust.
Picture: © Paul Fleury, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.. Source.
Posted November 24 2020
As a young prince Henry V was ‘fierce and of wanton courage,’ Thomas Elyot tells us, but there was one man with courage to match his.
Picture: By an anonymous artist, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.. Source.
Posted July 16 2020
Henry V’s chaplain Thomas Elmham, an eyewitness of the battle of Agincourt, gave us this account of the King in the moments before the fighting began.
Picture: By Sir John Gilbert (1817-1897), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.. Source.
Posted March 31 2020