1415: Westmorland warriors - and a local horse - at Agincourt

Historian Roger Bingham recalls our district’s links with one of England’s mightiest medieval triumphs against the sizeable forces of France

WILLIAM Shakespeare made the most famous reference to Westmorland's connection with the Battle of Agincourt, fought on October 25 1415, for in his 'King Henry V' he referred to the presence of 'three misbegotten knaves in Kendal Green'.

But the reference, made 200 years after the event, is probably as mythical as the romanticised image of a Kendal Bowman (once seen on a Kendal pub sign) which resembled a Technicolour Robin Hood arrayed in an emerald garb far brighter than the murkier shade of Kendal Green.

Even so, some archers from Kentdale were part of the 'medieval virtual machine gun corps' which enabled Henry V's army of 6,000 men to annihilate the 30,000 strong chivalry of France.

According to an indenture made in April 1415 on the outbreak of war against 'our Adversary of France', Thomas Strickland of Sizergh, agreed 'to serve the king for one year with two-men-at-arms and six archers'.

To guarantee payment Henry pledged his 'jewels, plate and even his crown'. He also agreed that the 'said Thomas Strykland shall have from the Lord King horses, harness, provisions and shipping'.

Thomas, however, may well have been accompanied by his own warhorse for a list of horses killed in the campaign includes the name of "Lyard Strickland": A "lyard" was a multi coloured or roan animal perhaps rather like a Westmorland Fell Pony.

Whether or not the contingent obtained 'shipping' from Westmorland's only sea port of Milnthorpe, they, in August 1415, joined the King at Harfleur, in Normandy which was captured after a siege of 32 days.

Here, Thomas Strickland was acknowledged as of 'great strength and prowess' and granted the signal honour of bearing the Red Cross banner of St George, England's patron saint.

Depictions of this banner fluttering over (theatrical) knights like Sir Lawrence Olivier and Sir Kenneth Branagh may be glimpsed in filmed versions of King Henry V as they urge the 'band of brothers' to 'fight for England, Harry and St George'.

It is now doubted if the English iron tipped 'bodkin' arrows could penetrate their opponents plate armour. Nevertheless, the impact of 50,000 arrows fired in five minute volleys, wounded horses and created a suffocating melee of thousands of unseated French knights.

As there were insufficient English guards to take them prisoner, they were slaughtered, contrary to the code of chivalry, while wallowing in the battle field's bloody ooze.

Also, the massacre so reduced ransom money that the king, despite his 'Jewel Indenture', failed to pay Thomas his dues. As late as 1429 'Thomas de Stirkeland, knight of Heversham, Helsington, and Strickland Ketel' was still claiming £14 4s 10d, from the Royal Exchequer.

So, for our local warriors the great victory did not bring great rewards.