In August 1415, Henry V led an army to the port of Harfleur in France and succeeded to win it as an important base for further operations against the French. His army, however, was reduced to about 6,000 men. As they went to Calais, the nearest port home, a French army of about 60,000 men waited for them at Agincourt to take revenge for Harfleur. On 25 Oct.1415 the battle began and the French soon realized that they had no chance against the English archers. The impossible happened: After only a few hours of fighting, the battle was won and Henry had only lost about 500 men, including Edward Duke of Gloucester, who suffocated in his armour. But on the side of the French, about 6,000 noblemen died, a harsh loss for France.