also passed
the Somme, and threw themselves full in his way, with a purpose of
intercepting his retreat. After he had passed the small river of Ternois
at Blangi, he was surprised to observe from the heights the whole French
army drawn up in the plains of Azincour, and so posted that it was
impossible for him to proceed on his march without coming to an
engagement. Nothing in appearance could be more unequal than the battle
upon which his safety and all his fortunes now depended. The English
army was little, more than half the number which had disembarked at
Harfleur; and they labored under every discouragement and necessity. The
enemy was four times more numerous; was headed by the dauphin and all
the princes of the blood; and was plentifully supplied with provisions
of every kind. Henry's situation was exactly similar to that of Edward
at Crecy, and that of the Black Prince at Poietiers; and the memory of
these great events, inspiring the English with courage, made them
hope for a like deliverance from their present difficulties. The king
likewise observed the same prudent conduct which had been followed by
these great commanders: he drew up his army on a narrow ground between
two woods, which guarded each flank; and he patiently expected in that
posture the attack of the enemy.[*] Had the French constable been
able either to reason justly upon the present circumstances of the two
armies, or to profit by past experience, he had declined a combat, and
had waited till necessity, obliging the English to advance, had made
them relinquish the advantages of their situation. But the impetuous
valor of the nobility, and a vain confidence in superior numbers,
brought on this fatal action, which proved the source of infinite
calamities to their country. The French archers on horseback and their
men at arms, crowded in their ranks, advanced upon the English archers,
who had fixed palisadoes in their front to break the impression of
the enemy, and who safely plied them, from behind that defence, with a
shower of arrows, which nothing could resist.[**]

* St. Remi, chap. 62.

** Walsing. p. 392. T. Livii, p. 19. Le Laboureur, liv. xxxv
chap, 7. Monstrelet, chap. 147.

The clay soil, moistened by some rain which had lately fallen, proved
another obstacle to the force of the French cavalry: the wounded men and
horses discomposed their ranks: the narrow compass in which they were
pent hindered them from recovering a