Henry set to work with vigor, raised an army, and invaded France. He
besieged Harfleur, near the mouth of the Seine, and took it; but his
army suffered so much from sickness that, after leaving a garrison in
the place, he resolved to move north, to the walled city of Calais.
It will be remembered that the English had captured that city nearly
seventy years before (S240), and Henry intended to wait there for
reenforcements. (See map facing p. 128.)
After a long and perilous march he reached a little village about
midway between Cre'cy and Calais. There he encountered the enemy in
great force. Both sides prepared for battle. The French had fifty
thousand troops to Henry's seven or eight thousand; but the latter had
that determination which wins victories. He said to one of his nobles
who regretted that he had not a larger force:
"No, my fair cousin;
If we are marked to die, we are enough
To do our country loss; and if we live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honor."[1]
[1] Shakespeare's "Henry V," Act IV, scene iii.
A heavy rain had fallen during the night, and the plowed land over
which the French must cross was so wet and miry that their heavily
armed horsemen sank deep at every step. The English bowmen, on the
other hand, being on foot, could move with ease. Henry ordered every
archer to drive a stake, sharpened at both ends, into the ground
before him. This was a substitute for the modern bayonet, and
presented an almost impassable barrier to the French cavalry.
As at Cre'cy and Poitiers, the English bowmen gained the day (SS238,
241). The sharp stakes stopped the enemy's horses, and the blinding
showers of arrows threw the splendidly armed knights into wild
confusion. With a ringing cheer Henry's troops rushed forward.
"When down their bows they threw,
And forth their swords they drew,
And on the French they flew:
No man was tardy.
Arms from the shoulder sent;
Scalps to the teeth they rent;
Down the French peasants went:
These ere men hardy."[2]
[2] These vigorous lines, from Drayton's "Ballad of Agincourt" (1606),
if not quite true to the letter of history (since it is doubted
whether any French peasants were on the field), are wholly true to its
spirit.
When the fight was over, the King asked, "What is the name of that
castle yonder?" He was told it was called Agincourt. "Then," said
he, "from henceforth this shall be known as the battle of Agincourt."
This decisive victory made the winner feel sure that he could now hold
his throne in spite of all plots against him (S288).