Southampton University's Dr Craig Lambert believes Henry V's fleet was half the size as previously believed

Experts will reveal new evidence at the University of Southampton suggesting Henry V’s fleet used to transport troops was much smaller than previously thought.

The study by Southampton’s Dr Craig Lambert examines the naval preparations which allowed Henry V’s army to travel from England to France.

Using English exchequer rolls in the National Archives at Kew, along with other sources, Dr Lambert has concluded Henry had a fleet of ships less than half the size of the 1,500-strong fleet which accepted history suggests.

He said: “Historians have largely ignored the maritime operations for the transfer of Henry’s army, with the story of Agincourt dominated by analyses of the campaign and the battle.

"With my paper, I wanted to give a clearer picture of the process of transporting the troops and the scale of the operation involved.”

However it appears English ships made up the bulk of the 650-strong fleet, rather than foreign vessels as was previously thought.

The fleet slipped out of the Solent on 11 August 1415 and headed to the Chef de Caux (near modern day Le Havre) – carrying 12,000 men, including the King himself onboard his ship the Trinite Roiale.

This vital journey took place around two months before Agincourt – a crucial battle in the Hundred Years War, which saw outnumbered English troops achieve a major victory against the French.

The findings will be presented at the War on Land and Sea event (31 July - 3 August) which will debate topics including why Agincourt took place, the treatment of the defeated, armour in the early 15th century, weapons used in battle and the social consequences for those wounded.

Historian and university dean of humanities, Professor Anne Curry – a world-expert on Agincourt, who has organised the event, pictured below, said: “I have spent my much of my life researching all aspects of the battle and its place in the Hundred Years War.

"I’m delighted to be welcoming people from around the world to Southampton to share my knowledge and that of many others. I hope it will lead to some interesting debates on what was a pivotal moment in English history.”