Shakespeare's 'Once More Unto the Breach:' The Real Life Messenger of Harfleur and Agincourt Brings Urgent Word to the French Crown of the Peril from the Forces of English King Henry V, During Events and With Figures Made Famous by Shakespeare (This incredible newly discovered document mentions 3 figures who appear in Shakespeare's work: the commander at Harfleur and 2 commanders at Agincourt)

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Of the men fighting off King Henry: ?having entered into great peril and bodily danger??There is no record of any document relating to Harfleur or Agincourt having reached the market, nor have we ever before seen a document directly relating to a person in one of Shakespeare?s plays. This has been in a private collection for a century.?A remarkable medieval document, the first such historical relic we can recall on the market, describing action, peril, and danger at one of the most famous battles in Medieval History, mentioned by name?From the collection of Dr. Otto O. Fisher, who bought primarily in the 1930s and 1940s, so this not been offered for sale in nearly a century?[embed size="full"]https://player.vimeo.com/670920477[/embed]Reference for research, publication, and institutions: Raab M13.078English King Henry V, while still under thirty years of age, twice raised the largest military force England had ever seen. He also succeeded in transporting this force to France and achieving victory in one of the most celebrated battles in English history. By the time of his coronation, he was already a seasoned general. Henry sought to revive the English claim to the French throne long before he became king. In the book "A Great and Glorious Adventure", we are told that once he took the throne, embassies were sent to France and French assemblies went to England to negotiate these claims. Henry demanded that the French relinquish control of ?the Duchies of Normandy & Aqaitayne, with the Counties of Anion and Mu_ne, and ye countrey of Gascoigne.? The French denied him these demands.When the French rejected Henry?s substantial territorial demands, he arrived in Normandy in August 1415 with a force of about 12,000 men. He aimed to topple France, and seize the crown. His first target: the city of Harfleur.Harfleur was three miles around, surrounded by high stone walls and a deep moat. The author Robin Neillands tells us that once Henry surrounded the city on August 18, 1415, he gave the French one chance to surrender. When they declined his offer, Henry commenced his siege.[caption id="attachment_23299" align="alignnone" width="1600"] "Harfleur"[/caption]He began attacking with his cannons from the sea, but the sea level in the area prevented the English from getting close enough to make any sort of constant attack. Eventually the French forces began to crumble under these assaults and Henry instructed his men to tunnel underneath the moat and wall. These mining efforts did not give the English access to the city, but they did succeed in partially flooding the city and contaminating the French?s water supply.On September 17, Henry succeeded in destroying one of the barbicans on the wall. He then instructed his men to bombard the city with cannon fire all night to prevent the defenders from doing any repairs. He also prepared his ground troops for an attack the following morning. The attack never happened. The damage to the city and its inhabitants was considerable. The lack of clean water or food coupled with the emergence of dysentery led to the city?s surrender on September 22, 1415, thirty-six days after his siege began.Shakespeare and this document?Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more? is the second most famous speech from Shakespeare?s Henry V, given at Harfleur, as Henry?s celebrated Crispin?s Day speech was given at Agincourt. This speech comes in Act 3, Scene 1, of the play, set during this very siege of Harfleur in Normandy, carried out by the real historical King Henry V in 1415 as part of the Hundred Years War.In Shakespeare?s Henry V, Henry?s siege of Harfleur is marked with both triumph and depravity. It is the first battle portrayed in the play, and Henry?s victory sets a precedent of success for future battles.Henry?s rousing speech to his troops is his attempt to unite the inspire his men to continue fighting with him against the French. In Shakespeare?s great work, Henry says:"Once more unto the breach, Seller Inventory # 22938

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Title: Shakespeare's 'Once More Unto the Breach:' ...
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