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The Agincourt Carol is an English folk song written to commemorate Henry V’s famous victory over the forces of the French King Charles VI. 
Tradition has it was sung in the immediate aftermath of the battle as the English troops celebrated their deliverance from what seemed certain annihilation but if so then it was a very crude and primitive version. 
 
It was more likely first performed at the pageant held in the King’s honour upon his return to London from France on 23 November 1415. 
 
Although its authorship remains anonymous the dialect and tone of its Middle English suggests it emanates from the region of Norfolk: 
The Agincourt Carol 
 
Owre Kynge went forth to Normandy 
With grace and myght of chyvalry 
Ther God for hym wrought mervelusly; 
Wherefore Englonde may call and cry 
 
Deo gratias! 
Deo gratias Anglia redde pro victoria! 
 
He sette sege, forsothe to say, 
To Harflu towne with ryal aray; 
That toune he wan and made afray 
That Fraunce shal rewe tyl domesday. 
 
Deo gratias! 
Deo gratias Anglia redde pro victoria! 
 
Then went hym forth, owre king comely, 
In Agincourt feld he faught manly; 
Throw grace of God most marvelsuly, 
He had both feld and victory. 
 
Deo gratias! 
Deo gratias Anglia redde pro victoria! 
 
Ther lordys, erles and barone 
Were slayne and taken and that full soon, 
Ans summe were broght into Lundone 
With joye and blisse and gret renone. 
 
Deo gratias! 
Deo gratias Anglia redde pro victoria! 
 
Almighty God he keep owre kynge, 
His peple, and alle his well-wyllynge, 
And give them grace wythoute endyng; 
Then may we call and savely syng: 
 
Deo Gratias Anglia redde pro victoria! 
England, give thanks to God for Victory! 
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