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THE BATTAILE OF AGINCOURT BY MICHAEL DRAYTON: WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY RICHARD GARNETT
VPON THE BATTAILE OF AGINCOVRT, WRITTEN BY HIS DEARE FRIEND MICHAEL DRAYTON ESQVIRE.
TO MY WORTHY FRIEND MR. MICHAELL DRAYTON VPON THESE HIS POEMS. - SONNET.
THE VISION OF BEN. IONSON, ON THE MVSES OF HIS FRIEND M. DRAYTON.
TO MY FRINDS THE CAMBER- BRITANS AND THEYR HARP.
ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES.
THE BATTAILE OF AGINCOVRT.
A vivid, verse‑driven chronicle brings the 1415 clash at Agincourt to life, framing the English king’s daring gamble against a vastly larger French host. In brisk, early‑modern English, the poet paints the mist‑shrouded battlefield, the thunder of longbow volleys, and the raw tension that grips both armies before the first arrows arc skyward. The narrative balances martial detail with a celebratory tone, elevating Henry’s resolve while hinting at the looming clash of steel and destiny.
Accompanying the poem is a thoughtful introduction and scholarly notes that decode the archaic spelling, punctuation, and typographical quirks, guiding listeners through the text’s unique visual cues. These commentaries illuminate the historical backdrop and the poet’s patriotic fervor, making the work accessible without stripping away its period flavor. Together, the poem and its annotations invite listeners to experience a seminal moment in English history as both a stirring saga and a window into Renaissance literary craft.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (165K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Louise Hope, David Starner, Dave Morgan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2009-01-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1563–1631
Best known for the vast topographical poem Poly-Olbion, this Elizabethan and Jacobean writer ranged widely across sonnets, pastorals, legends, and historical verse. His work mixes ambition, musical language, and a lasting fascination with England’s landscape and story.
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