1144 to 1219
It was a time of knights and kings.
It was a time of civil war.
It was also the time of William Marshal, a breed of knight that at that period seemed only dreamt of in Geoffery of Monmouth's tales of King Arthur. Proclaimed by both friend and foe as the greatest knight who ever lived, William Marshal has become a forgotten historical character who was at the center of many actual events from this period. Standing at a towering six feet two inches, William would prove to be the envy of his peers. He served as an officer and Marshal for four kings, dilivering the colée (the knighting blow) to King Henry the Younger, son of Henry II, as well as being the young king's mentor. William was also the only man to unhorse Richard The Lion Heart.
At the age of 75 (when most men of that time died by 35) William lead the English army against invading forces from Normandy at Lincoln and killed the invader's leader, an officer 35 years his junior, in personal battle. Before William's death in 1219, he was made Regent of England over the child king, Henry III. He accepted the office of Regent only after the Pope promised to absolve William of his sins as a warrior. On his deathbed, William was enducted into the Templars.
When you are finished reading these pages, you too will have learned why William Marshal truly was the flower of chivalry.
This site created and maintained by Gerry
Kissell and is hosted by bladezone.
Read the Bibliography for the William Marshal Web site.
It was a time of knights and kings.
It was a time of civil war.
It was also the time of William Marshal, a breed of knight that at that period seemed only dreamt of in Geoffery of Monmouth's tales of King Arthur. Proclaimed by both friend and foe as the greatest knight who ever lived, William Marshal has become a forgotten historical character who was at the center of many actual events from this period. Standing at a towering six feet two inches, William would prove to be the envy of his peers. He served as an officer and Marshal for four kings, dilivering the colée (the knighting blow) to King Henry the Younger, son of Henry II, as well as being the young king's mentor. William was also the only man to unhorse Richard The Lion Heart.
At the age of 75 (when most men of that time died by 35) William lead the English army against invading forces from Normandy at Lincoln and killed the invader's leader, an officer 35 years his junior, in personal battle. Before William's death in 1219, he was made Regent of England over the child king, Henry III. He accepted the office of Regent only after the Pope promised to absolve William of his sins as a warrior. On his deathbed, William was enducted into the Templars.
When you are finished reading these pages, you too will have learned why William Marshal truly was the flower of chivalry.
Read the Bibliography for the William Marshal Web site.