I just read a website that stated quite explicitly that the effectiveness of longbows was grossly exaggerated...
Anyway, after reading that site, I have to agree with you, Korzan. But the bulk of the French army consisted of mounted knights, and had very little infantry. The unorganized mass of mounted French cavalry charged up the hill, were slowed down by stakes and mud, and fell from arrows hitting the horses - as you stated before.
I believe that, if my memory serves correctly, that the French hired Geneose crossbowmen foward to hit the longbowmen. From the front! And then, the poor crossbowmen were trampled by impatient knights just hoping for glory. The English did not suffer the same problem as King Henry V (I think) ordered the English knights to dismount.
I severely doubt that the French placed even a respectable emphasis on infantry, as they were obssessed with knights. Agincourt showed them just how effective masses of knights were on muddy hills full of stakes and English longbows.
Of course it\'s been a long time since I read about even the Hundred Years\' War in general, so I could be wrong about many things, but I am sure the French just loved their knights then. They did, at least learn before the end of the war that cannons were (much) more effective.
As for the respawn system, the battle would probably be over by the time you get out of the Death Realm. So no harm should be done, really. Just a loss of time.