We Would Not Die In That Man’s Company
Note: If you’re in a hurry, please scroll to the video, read the challenge, then press play. If you have five minutes, read on for context. 
Sunday was Saint Crispin’s Day. I was remiss for not posting about it Monday. The holiday marks the feast day of saints Crispin and Crispinian, twins who were martyred circa A.D. 286.
Oddly, October 25th is famous for three renowned battles:
- Battle of Agincourt in 1415,
- Battle of Balaklava (Charge of the Light Brigade) during the Crimean War in 1854 and
- Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Pacific theater in 1944.
It’s the first of these battles that attract my attention. Two hundred years after it was fought, Agincourt inspired Shakespeare to write about King Henry. While the entire body of work is compelling, parts of Henry V are stirring. May I refresh your memory?
Across a narrow field, the English army faces French forces that outnumber them five to one. Many are mounted French knights–in amour. The English army is composed primarily of foot solders. About 5,000 archers and 900 men-at-arms. The English are lightly armored…at best, but are more mobile and have the deadly English longbow–and the skill to use it.
The following from Encyclopedia.com…
The English troops dug in behind wooden stakes between thickly wooded ground. The French cavalry advanced on a narrow front across muddy ground only to be killed by English archers and infantry. (Kindley adds: The terrain, narrow and muddy, funneled and slowed the French.) The French lost about 1,500 knights and 4,500 men-at-arms. English casualties were light. (Kindley adds about 450.)
Okay, enough history. Just keep in mind, this battle actually occurred. The English victory is a testament to heroism and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Henry’s speech before the battle, to worried troops, in text format, is good, but remember, Shakespeare’s plays were written to be spoken. When spoken, Henry’s speech is magnificent. A couple passages I love are…
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse:
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
That line about, “We would not die in that man’s company,” is just a zinger. Note that Henry is gonna pay passage for these folks who want to run away. Not only get out, he says, but we’ll pay you to go! Wow, how tough is that when every body counts? Yes, it’s rhetoric, but gutsy all the same.
Of course, the closing lines are just great…
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.
Okay, here’s the challenge…Watch the video. If you’re not ready to face—and whip–your most daunting lifetime task with enthusiasm, when, in a rising voice, Henry shouts, “That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day!” Then, you are…hmmm….a deep well of relaxation, composure, and reserve. I Congratulate you.
Give it whirl…
See you on Monday—if I’ve not been killed in some hopeless cause. In that case, you can play the Beatles, Hey Jude, for me.
Themocracy
Stirring, powerful speech! Momentous occasions like that – when men stand up and fight against “fearsome odds” for what is right and jut their chins out in bravery in the face of death … puts our cozy, comfy lifestyles in perspective, does it not? I forget who said it, but a famous quote I once read goes something like, “the difference between a hero and a coward is a coward is afraid and runs away. A hero is also afraid but stays to fight.
Great post, dude.
Stirring speech. One we’d do well to remember.
I love hearing about this time period. If I only had the time to research a novel set then!
Branagh looks so young here!
Great speech. I need to be roused to action…right now, actually.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
My favourite speech! I watch my DVD of Branagh’s Henry V every St. Crispan’s Day. Patrick Doyle’s music is beyond wonderful.
Elspeth
I’ll have to check out the DVD, I love this kind of stuff.
I love history and am very much familiar with the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the battle of Agincourt. Great stuuf. Thanks for the videos.
Stephen Tremp
This just proves that if you are a powerful speaker you can make people do or believe anything! Wish I had that skill.
I love what everyone takes out of it – a stirring speech and wel portrayed. And we might as well believe it than not for it is a tonic to our nerves and ginger to our souls!
It’s an amazing era, especially for historial novel and romance.
Bargain with the Devil
Please upload other videos related to cooking if you have, since I want to learn more and more concerning all recipes of cooking.