Tomorrow is the 604th anniversary of the battle of Agincourt, France fought on October 25th, 1415. This year is a little different for me. I was able to loose a few gray goose shafts there in May of this year. I've still got a buzz from it.

Briefly, Henry V was marching north in France to Calais when he was cut off by a much larger French force. His own forces were starving but had a solid supply of gray goose shafts and hand tools. It was an unexpected and decided victory for the much outnumbered English. Several books are available with the title 'Agincourt'. I recommend a novel by Bernard Cornwell for realistic detail. Juliet Barker's book is a good documentary. Check your local library for Kenneth Branagh's 1989 movie 'Agincourt'.

But we in it shall be rememberèd. We few, we happy few... William Shakespeare

Picture credit: Arre Caballo

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

For those who are interested in the history of Agincourt I would highly recommend Juliet Barkers brilliant book of the same name. The Folio Society have published the most beautiful edition with magnificent period illustrations.

To add to the list - Hardy's classic Longbow: A Social and Military History. He covers the battle of Azincourt, as well as Crécy and Poitiers.

If we are mark'd to die, we are enough To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour. God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires. But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive. No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England. God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour As one man more methinks would share from me For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more! Rather proclaim it, Westmorland, through my host, That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, And crowns for convoy put into his purse; We would not die in that man's company That fears his fellowship to die with us. This day is call'd the feast of Crispian. He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say "To-morrow is Saint Crispian." Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say "These wounds I had on Crispin's day." Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember, with advantages, What feats he did that day. Then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words— Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester— Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red. This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be rememberèd— We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

..." That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, And crowns for convoy put into his purse; We would not die in that man's company That fears his fellowship to die with us. ....

Boy oh boy I've loved that line ever since I first heard it over 50 years ago.

Thanks for the post Grey Goose Shaft; Bernard Cornwell, best known for his books about Sharpe's Rifles, also has a series of books about a longbowman and one specifically dealing with Agincourt. Good read.

amen to that Phil.

Gifford x2, Bernard Cornwell books are good.

Dang it! I missed it again! I was going to send them a card!

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