William Marshal
International star jouster.
According to Stephen Langton the “best knight that ever lived.”
The “flower of chivalry”, known throughout Europe as ‘The Marshal’.
1st Earl of Pembroke.
Builder of great castles in Normandy, England, Ireland and Wales, including Pembroke Castle and Chepstow Castle.
Favourite of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Loyal friend to five Plantagenet kings – The Young Henry, Henry II, Richard I, John, and Henry III (and knighted two of them).
Regent of England.
In his 70’s funded and personally led an army against overwhelming odds, winning the Battle of Lincoln and saving England from becoming a French kingdom.
Reissued Magna Carta on behalf of the infant Henry III under his own initiative, and under his own seal, in 1206 and 1207, to end the civil war after the death of King John. (This is the one that is the “Magna Carta” of English Law, not the one of 1215 which had been annulled)
Joined the Knights Templar just days before his death in 1219 (which is why he was buried in Temple Church - see photo of his tomb effigy damaged by bombing in the Second World War)
The most egregiously underrated man in history?
I have read that William Marshall was a knight who came from a modest background. I seem to recall that he participated in jousts until he was in his mid-50s. Some claimed that he never lost once in the hundreds of jousts in which he participated. Some said that this was a slight exaggeration and that he lost two or three jousts.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't know the exact rules when William Marshal was jousting, I have read elsewhere that the loser usually lost his horse and armor to the victor. If so, given how much these things cost in today's dollars, it would be the equivalent of winning the equivalent of a not so modest home.
If it is difficult to find anything bad written about this man, and it is, given the human condition that speaks volumes.
Rest in peace, good knight.
William the Marshall was one bad-arsed mofo. At one tourney, when they were announcing the winners and issuing prizes, he was in his tent getting his helmet cut off his head because he got so pounded by his opponents the helm literally closed around him.
ReplyDeleteIn other tournaments, where one had one's squires go out into the field and drag off one's defeated opponents (so as, as Survivorman99 said, to ransom their horse and equipment,) William basically had the English equivalent of Mid-Western Farm Boys as his squires. He'd hit the opponent, his squires would swarm the guy and drag him and his horse off the field. Perfectly legit under the rules of the time.
And... Henry I used him to control his living sons, Richard (the Lionhearted), Geoffrey d'Anjou and John Lackland. All who were very powerful warriors and known for some deviltry, especially in attempting to overthrow their father on more than one occasion.
Truly a great man. Smart. Well read. Feared by all, including kings. But loved by all.
Impressive CV, but could he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan at "The Crucible"?
ReplyDeleteAre you sure about your dates? John died in 1216. How could Marshal reissue Magna Carta under his own seal in 1206 and 1207 to end a civil war that followed the death of King John?
ReplyDeleteIt's supposed to be 1216 and 1217.
DeleteNever been the subject of a movie. Can John Milius still write the screenplay?
ReplyDeleteHighly recommend Langston's book. The history is fascinating and the book is highly readable. Marshall was from a modest background and was nearly executed by Stephen at the age of 5. The comment on the losses at jousting tournaments is pretty accurate. The loser could lost their horse which was quite costly or otherwise pay a ransom.
ReplyDeleteHighly recommend Langston's book. The history is fascinating and the book is highly readable. Marshall was from a modest background and was nearly executed by Stephen at the age of 5. The comment on the losses at jousting tournaments is pretty accurate. The loser could lost their horse which was quite costly or otherwise pay a ransom.
ReplyDelete