Agincourt

My Family, the Battle and the Fight for France

De: Ranulph Fiennes

Narrado por: Ranulph Fiennes

25 October 2015 is the 600th anniversary of the battle of Agincourt - a hugely resonant event in English (and French) history. Sir Ranulph Fiennes casts new light on this epic event, revealing that three of his own ancestors fought in the battle for Henry V, and at least one for the French. This is a unique perspective on Agincourt from a trained and decorated soldier.

Ran reveals the truth behind the myths and legends of the battle. He tells how after the battle Henry V entertained his senior commanders to dinner, where they were waited on by captured French knights. There is the story of Sir Piers Legge of Lyme Hall, who lay wounded in the mud while his mastiff dog fought off the French men-at-arms. Then there is the legend that the French intended to cut off the first and second right hand fingers of every captured archer, to prevent him from using his bow. The archers raised those two fingers to the advancing French as a gesture of defiance.

In this gripping new study Sir Ranulph Fiennes brings back to life these stories and more, including those of his own ancestors, in a celebration of a historical event integral to English identity.

(P)2014 Hodder & Stoughton©2014 Ranulph Fiennes

well researched

very well presented. clearly well researched and made more interesting with the author's personal ancestral connection.

My kinsman

I’m right under history, love it. Do we have to know that the authors kinsman are all the way through this book. Good on him for having heritage that goes all the way back there but just tell the damn story without every fifth line being my Kinsman. All in all though very informative.

I wish this was my family tree

Thoroughly enjoyed it. It's so much more than Agincourt. From William the conqueror to Henry VI.

history told by the victor

if you've ever wanted to know how to pronounce Fiennes, buy this audiobook narrated by the author.

Not Exactly Historically Accurate

This could be a somewhat enjoyable piece of historic fiction purporting to be an actual historical work if not for one extremely annoying tendency of the author--self-aggrandizement. I would challenge you to play a drinking game by taking a shot everytime he uses the phrases "my kin" or "my kinsman," but I have no wish to send anyone to the hospital with alcohol poisoning. We get it, you claim to be descended from Norman nobility. Give it a rest.

My other complaint is that, for a book claiming to be primarily based on the battle of Agincourt, he spends an enormous amount of time distorting history leading up to the rule of Henry V, beginning his narrative before the Norman conquest, spending some time reciting dubious facts about Magna Carta, and going on about the suppression of the Anglo Saxons, which is largely a historic myth. I particularly had to roll my eyes at the recounting of the "facts" surrounding the murder of Edward II.

In summary, don't try to base any understanding of actual French/English history on this work, and listen to it only if you can tune out the author puffing himself up through his ancestry. The narrator is actually decent; although he does tend to make the "my kinsman" issue even worse by putting undue influence on "my" making it "MY kinsman."