who was
himself among the sufferers, and who has furnished
a very graphic description of the whole affair,
says, "The King turned aside to a small village,
where we had houses, but very few indeed, and
gardens and orchards to rest in." "Ubi habuimus
domos sed paucissimas, hortosque et pomaria pro
requiescione nostra." This the translator renders,
"Where we had houses to rest in, but very scanty
gardens and orchards." The scanty supply was not of
gardens and orchards, but of houses to rest in.
Consequently, except such as those very few houses
could accommodate, the English soldiers were all
compelled to bivouac, exposed to the drenching
rains which fell through the night. Of orchards and
gardens there was doubtless an abundant supply, but
they afforded little shelter from the weather, and
no means to the troops of taking refreshing rest.]

At day-break, on Friday, October 25, the French drew up in order of
battle, in three lines, on the plain of Agincourt, through which was
the route to Calais. Of their numbers the accounts both of (p. 166)
English and French writers vary exceedingly, and it is impossible to
fix upon any amount with confidence; probably, however, at the very
lowest calculation they were more than fifty thousand men.

Henry was up at break of day, and immediately attended mass. He then,
mounted on a small grey horse, bearing on his coat the arms of France
and England, and wearing a magnificent crown on his head, drew up his
men in order of battle in an open field. His main body, consisting of
men-at-arms, he commanded himself; the vanguard was committed, as a
right wing, to the Duke of York at his own request; and the rear-guard
was posted, as a left wing, under the command of the Lord Camois. The
archers were placed between the wings in the form of a wedge, with
their poles fixed before them as a protection against the cavalry.
Henry then rode along the lines, and addressed them in a speech full
of spirit, well fitted to inspire in his men enthusiastic ardour and
devotedness. "Sir," was the reply, "we pray God to give you a good
life, and victory over your enemies." At this jun