“This day is called the feast of Crispian”
Today is Saint Crispin’s Day and the anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 during the Hundred Years War and immortalized in Shakespeare’s “Henry V” who gave us the “Band of Brothers” speech.
This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say ‘To-morrow is Saint Crispian’:
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.’
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he’ll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember’d.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember’d;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.
–Henry V, Act IV, Scene 3.
Category: Historical
The one book on Agincourt I have read is by Christopher Hibbert (1924-2000). Hibbert was a well-regarded historian and writer who served as a British infantry officer during WWII and was twice-wounded and mentioned in dispatches. The book gives a very concise but detailed narrative of the battle, and is available on Amazon. Highly recommended…
It was a remarkable tactical victory. Henry V was leading a force of roughly 6000 English troops, outnumbered five to one, who were armed primarily with longbows. The French opposition of mostly heavily-armored knights bogged down in mud and were cut to pieces. Pretty much a classic example of the importance of choosing your ground.
Agincourt also took place toward the end of the 100 Years War during an era Barbara Tuchman argues in A Distant Mirror that has been a major influence on modern European history right up until today.
Five years after Agincourt, Henry V married the daughter of the French king. If Hal had lived longer, he would have become king of both England and France.
We few, we happy few …
The English longbow made it’s mark in History at Agincourt, that’s for sure.
A part of history that I recounted once to a group of Venturers to whom I had the chance to teach the basics of archery. The fact that the yeomen archers were so valuable to the Crown led to their ability to have a voice in English government, developing over time to our form of government in the USA.
I was pretty proud of the fact that in 1 day – the time I had with each group – they went from barely able to hit the target at 25′ to putting arrows through apples (or oranges, depending on the day) reliably.
Hopefully the history lesson stuck with them, even if they never picked up a bow again.
” … the yeomen archers were so valuable to the Crown led to their ability to have a voice in English government, developing over time to our form of government in the USA.”
I didn’t know that, but it makes complete sense. Way to sneak that History lesson in there!
It would take me a while at home to find the source for that assertion, but I believe it was an article in an old archery magazine. It went into more detail on how that played out.
Sneaking in tidbits of information like that is one of my favorite ways of teaching more than just a skill.
I’ve said it before, but Shakespeare’s St. Crispin’s Day speech is one I continually find to be inspiring.
Especially, “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.”
Yep.
A piece that comes just before that reflects how I used to feel:
“Instead, make this known throughout the army: whoever has no spirit for this fight, let him depart. He will be given safe conduct and money for his passage home. We would not want to die in the company of a man who fears to die with us.”
I found that guys that didn’t want to be with me were usually more trouble than they were worth.
I love this speech.
Anyone want to take a shot at how a First Sergeant would paraphrase this? 🙂
I would but I was only a Captain.
“If you’re not a pussy, get in the cattlecar”.
Laconic, finest.
Right on! 🙂 Clear, Concise, Correct!
Thanks Jonn!
Very interesting and inspiring. Thank you.
Anyone else catch the irony about PFC(D)Bergdahl’s sentencing trial starting on St. Crispian’s Day?
😀
Thank you for posting this.
I’ve added it to my calendar for future observances.