The might of the English longbow wielded by the skilled archers of England and Wales has never been more effectively demonstrated than on the legendary, almost magical fields of Agincourt (1415) and Crecy (1346). Against all the odds, two small and outnumbered English armies were able to decisively defeat their French opponents due, in no small part to the dominance of this devastatingly effective weapon.

With your guide Dr Mike Jones we will explore both battlefields in depth and take the opportunity to not only discuss the weapons and tactics employed by both sides but to witness their implementation as they will be demonstrated before us on the field of Agincourt itself.

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Saturday): Depart London Victoria Coach Station 09:00. Cross the Channel by le Shuttle. Drive to Le Crotoy, where the English imprisoned Jean of Arc prior to her execution. Continue to the pretty port of St Valery sur Somme from where William, Duke of Normandy launched his invasion fleet in 1066. Continue to Abbeville and check into our hotel for two nights.
Day 2: Drive to the field of Agincourt. Surprisingly the battlefield itself has changed little, with the ‘funnel’ formed by the flanking woods, still very much obvious. We will visit the informative Visitors’ Centre and as today will feature the annual re-enactment of a battle of the period we shall take the opportunity of watching the re-enactors in all their splendour and wander around the authentically recreated camps. Dinner in our hotel.
Day 3: We now move onto the Crecy Campaign and visit the site of the Somme fords used by Edward III at Blanchtaque prior to the battle. Finally we explore the battlefield, gaining a great view from the observation tower and walk the field itself. Cross the Channel and arrive approx 18:00 Folkestone and 20:30 London.