Daily Curiosity

Middle Ages · Question

What battle in 1415 was a major English victory using longbows?

Answer

Battle of Agincourt

The story behind the answer

Fought on 25 October 1415 during the Hundred Years’ War, this clash saw Henry V’s outnumbered army rely on thousands of English and Welsh longbowmen. Protected by rows of sharpened stakes, their rapid, armor-piercing volleys broke waves of French armored knights, who were funneled into a narrow, muddy field and became bogged down. The result was a lopsided victory with massive French casualties.

The triumph cemented the longbow’s fearsome reputation and became legendary through Shakespeare’s “St. Crispin’s Day” speech. While Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356) were earlier longbow victories and Verneuil came later (1424), this 1415 battle stands out for its dramatic tactics and enduring cultural impact.

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