Marshal, William, 1146-1219, Fourth Earl of Pembroke, Lord Marshal and Regent of
England
A Norman Knight who served four different Kings of England with distinction, he was described as “the best knight in all the world” by King Philip of
France. His life is immortalised in an epic biographical poem. He was the second son of John, Lord Marshal, and was involved in battle at an early age for, at the age of six, he was held as a hostage against his father by King Stephen during a siege of Newbury castle. He was later fostered at his cousin’s house in Normandy. As a landless young knight-errant he fought,
undefeated, in numerous tourneys to earn money. This led to him being appointed head of Prince Henry’s military household in Normandy in 1170. As a result he took part in numerous battles, and in the rebellion Henry led against his father King Henry II. On Prince Henry’s death he went on crusade to Palestine for two years. On his return in 1186 he entered the service of King Henry II. In 1189 the new king, Richard the Lionheart, gave him high office, though William had unhorsed him in battle a few months earlier. Richard allowed him to marry the heiress, Isabel de Clare, giving William vast lordships in Wales and Ireland and the manor of Caversham, lands added to by his elder’s brother’s death in 1194.
On Richard’s death in 1199, William supported King John’s claim to the throne, and was made Earl of Pembroke. By 1206 William fell out with John, who took his offices away from him, and he went into exile in Ireland, till the baronial rebellion against John saw his return as a mediator. On John’s death in 1216 William acted as Regent for the child-king Henry III. William’s first act was to confirm the Magna Charter. At the age of 72 William fought in close combat at the Battle of Lincoln, where his men defeated English rebels and French troops. In 1219 he fell ill and spent the last months of his life, at his insistence, at his Caversham Park estate. He was initiated into the Templar order on his death bed.
Link to the Dictionary of National Biography (only from a Library terminal).
William Marshal
Other External Links to more information:
William Marshal - Flower of Chivalry
Royal Berkshire History
- Biography of William Marshal
William Marshal Biography
|
