Agincourt: A New History

Two armies assembled on a remarkably small field. One was led by the flower of the French royalty and nobility, the other by England's king. The French were fresh. The English were worn from weeks of battle and dysentery. Before news came to London about the outcome, many assumed the French would prevail and the English would lose any chance for the territories around Calais. Curry (medieval history, U. of Southampton) goes beyond the textbook versions of Agincourt, and details Henry's strategic acumen, use of technology, and ability to motivate men who should have been defeated almost before the first shout. She also explains how the confidence of the French worked against them, recounts the soldiers and materiel on both sides, and paces that remarkably small field to find new insights into this most significant of battles. Distributed in the US by Trafalgar Square Publishing. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Choice

Curry's keen knowledge of administration, battle tactics, and medieval mentality makes this work, , highlighted by color plates, essential to studies of monarchy, propaganda, and culture.

Anne Curry is the editor of the Journal of Medieval History and the world's leading authority on the battle of Agincourt. She is the advisor to the battle of Agincourt battlefield centre in Normandy and was historical consultant for the documentary of the battle in the Battlefield Detectives series. Her other books include Agincourt 1415 (as editor), The Battle of Agincourt: Sources & Interpretations (as editor), and The Hundred Years' War.