Agincourt

The renowned historian "brings an excellent synergy of academic and literary skills to this study" of the medieval battle that defined the British empire (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

In 1415, King Henry V of England led a severely outnumbered army to victory against the French in what became a defining moment in the Hundred Years War. It is the classic underdog story in the history of warfare, and generations have wondered how the English could have succeeded so bravely and brilliantly.

Drawing upon a wide range of sources, eminent scholar Juliet Barker casts aside the legend and shows us that the truth behind Agincourt is just as fascinating, and far more significant. She presents a gripping narrative of the October 1415 clash between outnumbered English archers and heavily armored French knights. But she also takes us beyond the battlefield to explore an entire medieval world in flux. 

Populated with chivalrous heroes, dastardly spies, and a ferocious and bold king, Agincourt is as earthshaking as its subject—and confirms Juliet Barker's status as both a historian and a storyteller of the first rank.