Re: Battle of Agincourt
Well, I don't really know the range on a contemporary crossbow in 1415. I do know that they were most effective when employed to defend a fortification. I would guess that they were accurate within 50- 100 yards at best. Another drawback is that they take some doing to reload. I imagine the french had them more of a defensive measure to counter an English attack.
In order to flank, the bowmen would have had to hold their formations down a hill on either side, through forest, and then turn inward and go back up the hill. This was virtually impractical. Harry picked this terrain carefully and I imagine the foremost thought in his mind was controlling the number of men who could attack him at once.
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