Ebook History of the Battle of Agincourt

An apology for the publication of a History of the Battle of Agincourt could scarcely be prefixed to it without conveying a tacit but severe reflection on the literary taste of the age, for if there be a subject that ought in an eminent degree to excite attention, it is a detailed account of an event which is identified with the military renown of this country. The late Bishop Nicholson truly observed in his "Historical Library," that Henry the Fifth's "single victory at Agincourt might have afforded matter for more volumes than have been written on his whole reign." Since that opinion was expressed, numerous historical documents of the first importance have been brought to light; and, as will be seen by the following pages, many of them present highly valuable information respecting Henry's first invasion of France. But even if no other data had been found, Bishop Nicholson's remark would not be less just, for a concentration of all recorded facts relative to that expedition was a desideratum which could only be supplied by a writer making it the sole object of his attention.