Agincourt: Battle of the Scarred King

by Michael Livingston, Bernard Cornwell (Foreword by)

Overview

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION NON-FICTION CROWN AWARD

'It's quite a feat to write an account of England's most famous battle that makes the reader feel like they're experiencing history that is fresh, new and exhilarating.' Dan Snow

This groundbreaking study by Mike Livingston, as featured on History Hit's Agincourt, presents a new interpretation of Henry V's great victory.

From Shakespeare's 'band of brothers' speech to its appearances in numerous films, Agincourt rightfully has a place among a handful of conflicts whose names are immediately recognized around the world. Renowned medieval historian Mike Livingston provides a new look at this famous battle, with a foreword by world famous historic novelist Bernard Cornwell.

Agincourt takes us back to the original sources, including the French battle plan that still survives today, to give a new interpretation, one that challenges the traditional site of the battlefield itself. It is a thrilling new history that not only rewrites the battle as we know it, but also provides fresh insights into the men who fought and died there.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472855206
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	10/10/2023
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Dr Michael Livingston teaches the military and cultural history of the Middle Ages at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. He recently co-authored the textbook reader Medieval Warfare, and future works include books on the battles of Hastings and Shrewsbury. These add to previous books The Battle of Crécy: A Casebook, winner of the 2017 Distinguished Book Award from the Society for Military History, Never Greater Slaughter: Brunanburh and the Birth of England (Osprey, 2021), and Crécy: Battle of Five Kings (Osprey, 2021). He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Bernard Cornwell, who has been called "one of the most accomplished storytellers now writing" (Kirkus Reviews) is the author of numerous international bestsellers, including the Sharpe series. He was born in Britain and now lives with his wife in Cape Cod.

Table of Contents

Foreword

List of Illustrations

List of Maps

Introduction: We Happy Few

PART ONE: TWO BEGINNINGS

1. Shrewsbury and Scars, 21 July 1403

2. Assassination and Madness, 13 June 1392

PART TWO: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HUNDRED YEARS WAR

3. Crécy and the Model Glory, 1337–77

4. Young Kings, 1377–99

5. Civil Wars, 1399–1415

PART THREE: THE AGINCOURT CAMPAIGN

6. The Siege of Harfleur, 13 August–22 September

7. Edward's Footsteps, 23 September–15 October

8. Days of Desperation, 16–23 October

PART FOUR: LOCATING AGINCOURT

9. Finding Agincourt

10. Reaching Agincourt, 24 October

11. Testing the Tradition

PART FIVE: THE BATTLE

12. The Morning, 25 October

13. The Battle, 25 October

14. The Days After, 1415–22

Suggested Reading and Acknowledgements

Endnotes

Index

Editorial Reviews

This astonishing book fixes the myth of Agincourt and adds to our understanding of what led to that slaughteryard of horrors, atrocities, and, for at least one side, unforgettable glories.” —Bernard Cornwell, bestselling author of The Last Kingdom series

“Livingston debunks myths, he explodes long-cherished historical theories, and he moves battlegrounds.” —Dan Jones, The Sunday Times Magazine

“It's quite a feat to write an account of England's most famous battle that makes the reader feel like they're experiencing history that is fresh, new and exhilarating.” —Dan Snow

“Bold and conversational, forensic and vivid, this is an extraordinary history of Agincourt - full of remarkable insight - that grips from the very first word and doesn't let go.” —Helen Castor, author of 'She-Wolves'

“Michael Livingston continues to overturn centuries of scholarship, redefining some of the world's most celebrated battles. Coupling ironclad scholarship with a breakneck narrative, Livingston cuts new historical ground.” —Myke Cole, author of 'Legion versus Phalanx' and 'The Bronze Lie'

“A thought provoking, thoughtful and fast-paced account of what one might think is one of the best known and understood medieval battles. Despite what we think we know, from reading Livingston's detailed book, it is clear that we aren't really sure we even know exactly where this famous battle was fought!” —Robert Woosnam-Savage FSA, Curator Emeritus, Royal Armouries

“The battle of Agincourt has had many interpretations. Michael Livingston's is the latest, but also one of the best … It tells a fresh, compelling story of the battle, the campaign that led up to it, and its aftermath.” —Kelly Devries, Professor of History, Loyola University Maryland

“An innovative historical reinterpretation…Agincourt is an exciting retelling of the battle of Agincourt that brings forth new information about a topic believed to have been long since settled.” —Foreword Reviews

From the Publisher