The Numbers in the Battle of Agincourt: A Comprehensive Analysis

The Battle of Agincourt, fought on October 25, 1415, is often overshadowed by the notorious English victory and the apocryphal account of the number of soldiers involved. Reliable historical sources have provided various estimates of the number of men-at-arms on the French side, and this article delves into a comprehensive analysis of the numbers involved in one of the most significant battles in medieval warfare.

The Estimates from Historical Sources

Several chronicles and records provide us with various estimates of the number of French soldiers, ranging from 10,000 to over 20,000 men-at-arms. These sources are:

The Chronique d’Arthur de Richemont estimated 10,000 men-at-arms.

The Chronique Normande also mentioned 10,000 men-at-arms who pursued the English army.

The Chronique de Ruisseauville claimed that the French were ten times the number of English men-at-arms, totaling 10,000 men-at-arms.

The Chronicle of St. Denis stated that there were 5,000 men-at-arms in the vanguard.

John Juvenal des Ursins provided a more detailed breakdown, stating 5,000 men-at-arms in the vanguard and 3,000 in the main battle, complemented by a high number of auxiliaries.

Philippe de Méprit (Monstrelet) estimated a force of 16,000 men, comprising 8,000 in the vanguard and 8,000 in the main battle, broken down into specific units.

Berry’s Herald gave a similar breakdown, stating 4,800 men-at-arms in the vanguard and the same number in the main battle, with additional auxiliaries.

Further Breakdown of the Forces

Breaking down the army, we find the following distribution:

Division Men-at-Arms Gros Valets Archers Crossbowmen and Pavise Total Vanguard 4,800 200 2,000 800 7,800 Main Battle 3,400 1,600 2,000 800 7,800 Cavalry Wings 1,200 600 0 0 0 1,800 Rearguard 600 8,200 0 0 8,800 Camp 10,000 0 0 0 10,000 Total 16,000 10,200 4,000 1,500 35,500

According to Monstrelet, the vanguard and main battle were estimated at 16,000 men, a figure that aligns with other sources. The rearguard, however, was estimated at 1,000 men-at-arms, which, when combined with 8,200 gros valets (each serving alongside a master), totals 10,200. Additionally, the camp, filled with pages, numbered 10,000, bringing the total force to about 35,500 men. It is important to note that only the men-at-arms, gros valets, archers, and crossbowmen were engaged in the battle, while the rearguard and camp remained untouched.

Conclusion

Based on the available historical sources, the Battle of Agincourt saw around 16,000 French men-at-arms and 10,000 gros valets in the vanguard and main battle. This brings the total number of combatants to approximately 25,500. The rearguard and camp, which included pages, gros valets, archers, and crossbowmen, numbered an additional 10,000, increasing the total to 35,500. These figures align with the sources that state the French were outnumbered four to one and later six to one by the English forces, which comprised about 5,000 men-at-arms and 5,000 archers.