|
This image, one of a series of three,
features English and French characters who fought in the fateful Battle
of Agincourt. In this instance William, Lord Clinton and Charles
D'Albret, Constable of France.
Much is made of the success of the English
archers at Agincourt and their contribution to the victory was without
doubt considerable, however, the battle did come to hand to hand combat
and the English line was pushed back 'a spear's length' by the French
onslaught.
Both Knights shown here wear armour
contemporary with the early 15th century and the Englishman's lack of a
visor may explain the lack of concern for French missiles. They both
wear surcoats displaying their heraldic colours.
D'Albret is armed with a sword whilst
Clinton carries a war hammer designed for punching holes through armour
and in his left hand has a long 'misericorde' dagger with a thin, but
often reinforced blade ideal for penetrating mail or the joints in
armour.
It is not known if these two men ever
actually faced each other in combat, in fact D'Albret was killed in the
battle, probably in the melee when the two lines came
together. Nevertheless, they are representative of the heroic knights on
both sides who fought and died upon that historic day.
|
