England’s happy few turn out to be many, six centuries on
The “happy few” that, in Shakespeare’s words, defeated a mighty French army at the Battle of Agincourt were much more numerous than has been believed for the past six centuries.
“The figures have been exaggerated over the centuries for patriotic reasons,” said Anne Curry, a professor of medieval history, who is about to publish a new history of the 1415 battle. She said tales of the lopsided victory were a myth constructed around King Henry V “to build up his reputation as a king.”
The story also proved a useful morale-builder in World War II, when Laurence Olivier played the role of Henry in the movie of Shakespeare’s historical drama. But Curry has worked out from enrolment and pay records that there were at least 8,000 men in Henry’s army, compared to 12,000 on the French side — not such an impressive victory after all.
The first account of the battle in northeastern France, written three years after the event, said the English and Welsh men-at-arms and archers were outnumbered 30 to one. AFP
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...1-5-2005_pg9_4
Looks like King Henry V went on to a 'claim to fame' situation that didn't really exist. Now I'd have to dig up on this and give myself a refresher I guess.
