26 V i s i t www.theculturalexperience.com C a l l 0345 475 1815 Early Periods XXX! XXX HUNDRED yEARS WAR HONOUR bROTHERHOOD AND MARTyRDOM The English claim to the French throne as the birth-right of King Edward III of England, the closest male relative to the last of the Capetian Kings of France, began the Hundred Years War which precipitated a revolution in military affairs. This allowed small English ffairs. This allowed small English ff armies to defeat far larger French forces, and laid the foundation of a British way of waging war, which continued to Waterloo and beyond. In this tour we will examine how the English feudal array of mounted knights backed by a poorly armed and trained militia was transformed into a professional army of career soldiers fighting on foot, supported by the English weapon of mass destruction – the longbow. Much myth and legend surrounds the Hundred Years War, particularly concerning Joan of Arc: contrary to popular belief she was not a poor peasant girl but the daughter of a local government official and she had a good basic education. Whether her voices came from God, as she alleged, whether she invented them or whether they indicated someformofinsanityisstilldebated–andwill be by us. Whatever the truth she was certainly an inspiration for a resurgence of French zeal before being betrayed, put on trial, and burnt at the stake in Rouen. Day 1 – Crecy. Our morning Eurostar departure from London St Pancras will whisk us quickly and smoothly to Lille. Picking up our coach, we drive to the battlefield of Crécy where, in 1346, King Edward III, faced by a far larger French army, took up a defensive position, waited for the French heavy cavalry to attack and then slaughtered them with a shower arrows that ‘turned the sky black’. Check in to our hotel in Montreuil sur Mer for one night. Day 2 – Agincourt. This morning we tour the battlefield at Agincourt, where Henry V of England with a tiny, hungry and bedraggled army, utterly defeated a far larger French WeenjoythewonderfulLoire,PasdeCalais and Aquitaine during in late April when the rolling countryside and imposing Gothic architecture are at their best. The late Spring sunshine allows us to combine this battlefield and cultural tour with pleasant countryside strolls, surrounded by flora and fauna and conjuring images of armour glinting in the sunlight. Travel is mainly by coach and rail where you will enjoy comfortable Standard Premier class with Eurostar and first class TGV in France. We stay in a variety of small medieval towns and cities where we wander along cobbled streets and through open market squares to enjoy wonderful food and wine in local restaurants. ThetourwillbeledjointlybyMajorGordon Corrigan, well-known TV personality, military historian and author of the highly respected A Great and Glorious Adventure – A Military History of the Hundred Years War, and Imogen Corrigan, leading expert War, and Imogen Corrigan, leading expert War and lecturer in Anglo-Saxon and Medieval History. 23 – 30 April 2019 23 – 30 April 2019 23 – 30 April 2019 23 – 30 April 2019 23 – 30 April 2019 23 – 30 April 2019 23 – 30 April 2019 23 – 30 April 2019 23 – 30 April 2019 23 – 30 April 2019 23 – 30 April 2019 8 days with Maj Gordon Corrigan with Maj Gordon Corrigan with Maj Gordon Corrigan with Maj Gordon Corrigan with Maj Gordon Corrigan & Maj Imogen Corrigan & Maj Imogen Corrigan & Maj Imogen Corrigan Activity Level 2 Activity Level 2 ESSENTIALS Standard Premier Eurostar from London, return flight to London, 3 and 4 star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guides throughout. Tour price: £2995 Single supplement: £445 Deposit: £300