Drive-Time (Via Michelin): Embry to Azincourt:
26
mins (14 miles) Address: Rue
Charles VI, 62310 Azincourt Web:
www.azincourt-medieval.fr
Opening Hours: 10am 'til 5pm year-round 10am 'til 6pm, November thru March Closed Tuesdays, November thru March Closed 22 Dec 2013 to 6 Jan 2014.
Azincourt (also Agincourt) is famous as being near the site of the
battle fought on 25 October (St. Crispin's Day) 1415 in which the army
led by King Henry V of England defeated the forces led by Charles
d'Albret on behalf of Charles VI of France, which has gone down in
English history as the Battle of Agincourt.
The
French knights were so encumbered by their armour that they were
exhausted even before the start of the battle. The battle, as was the
tradition at the time, was named after a nearby castle called Azincourt.
The castle has long since disappeared and the settlement now known as
Azincourt adopted the name in the 17th Century.
The
original battlefield museum in the village featured model knights made
out of Action Man figures. However, this has now been replaced by a more
professional exhibition space incorporating laser, video, slide shows,
audio commentaries and some interactive elements. The
museum building is shaped like a longbow similar to those used at the
battle by archers under King Henry. (The French used cross-bows.)
A
medieval festival commemorating local history has been held in the
village every year since 2004, on a July weekend in the summer.
Initially the festival was held in October (to coincide with the Battle
date), but the inclement weather and local heavy clay soil (as
experienced during the battle) made the festival difficult, so the date
was changed.
