Azincourt...

Read this amazing book by Bernard Cornwell. Azincourt (also called Agincourt) was an epic battle between England and France in the 14th Century. Although these two countries have had many such battles like Crece, Waterloo etc which were more significant strategically and otherwise,the battle of Azincourt holds a special place in the history.

This book gives a graphic account of the war waged by Henry V as the rightful heir of France. A battle which started with the seige of Harfleur,a small harbour city in France and the march towards Calais where the French intercepted the English Army near the town of Azincourt.The seige of Harfleur took longer than expected and by the time it was won and English army started its march towards Calais,it had shrunk to mere 6000,and dysentry raged in the army with many soldiers falling prey to it. This small army was intercepted at Azincourt by the huge French army of about 30,000. Unbelievable it may sound, but the English won this battle with as few as 200 casualties whilst the French lost about 5000 men.

The battle of Azincourt established the power of England and the claim of Henry V but more than anything else it was a battle for Honour and Pride, which were the only motivating factors for the demoralized and suffering army of England when it faced the mighty French Army. This battle reinstated the notion that a battle is never won by numbers,its won by will and the English army proved this through its bravery and resilience as it faced the sea of French Army.

This book also provided a lot of knowledge on the importance and use of Long Bows in the war (English Archers were the main reason England could win this war).I was amazed to find that Long Bows used to weigh atleast 120 Pounds and the Archers who used them had powerful arm,shoulder and back muscled developed by years of training and practice (an archer started training from childhood!!).

All and all an amazing read...a battle that has been celebrated by the English ever since it happened...as Shakespeare put it "We Few....We Happy Few"