The six hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt has thrown up a surprising link to Southend.

The battle, a turning point in the Hundred Years’ War, saw English king Henry V’s troops beat their French opponents on October 25, 1415, despite being heavily outnumbered, shattering the French war effort.

In Southend, matters were complicated by the fact Prittlewell Priory was a Cluniac monastery – an order which had its headquarters in France – meaning despite being led from Lewes in Sussex, the Abbot of Cluny in Burgundy was in overall charge of the monastery.

Despite such allegiances, French monastic orders were required to give money to the English crown in order to support the army against the French, with those who refused or unable to do so being shut down.

Prittlewell Priory, however, was flourishing with an income of £100-150 a year and so was spared the axe.

Deputy Southend Council leader Ian Gilbert said: “We are very fortunate to have such a rich and significant heritage here in Southend.

“The way our own Prittlewell Priory was caught up in the wider influence of the Battle of Agincourt, brings this historic event much closer to home.

“We hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to visit our museums and make even more discoveries about our town.”

To mark the town’s links to the battle, Southend Museums officer Rob Colby-Blake donned an Agincourt-era army uniform outside the priory.

Prittlewell Priory Museum in Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am until 5pm and on Sundays from 11am until 4pm. Admission is free.

Southchurch Hall in Southchurch Hall Close, was built between 1321 and 1364 and was in use as a moated medieval manor house at the time of the Battle of Agincourt.

It is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am until 4pm, on Sundays from 11am until 4pm, but is closed on Bank Holidays. Admission is free.

For more details, call 01702 215011 or visit southendmuseums.co.uk