1415: Henry V’s Year of Glory
Although this is not a novel, it certainly reads like one. Written in diary form, it covers the events of the year of 1415; the lead-up to the battle of Agincourt and its aftermath. This was, indeed, the glory year of Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt is one of those events which everyone must have heard of, read about, read Shakespeare’s play or seen Kenneth Branagh’s memorable film or even Sir Lawrence Olivier’s. ‘Once more unto the breach’, from the Cry God for Harry, England and St. George speech from Act III is one of those quotes which is still used today. We all know well the two-fingered gesture first used by the archers, I have always understood, to show the enemy that they were still in possession of their most vital fingers and could still fire an arrow.
Ian Mortimer is a most thorough and painstaking researcher, and this book not only tells of the dramatic events of that year but also goes into the background of what else was happening in Europe at the time. A ‘must have’ for the medieval enthusiast. What a treat!
