William Marshal Earl Of Pembroke: Master Of Tournaments And Best Example Of Medieval Chivalry And Knighthood

A.Sutherland - AncientPages.com - William Marshal is considered one of the greatest English knights and magnates of the Middle Ages.

William Marshal by John Evan Thomas © Palace of Westminster Collection WOA S67 www.parliament.uk/art. Image via cadw

He owes fame to his incredible career and biography that mentions his courage, loyalty, modesty, honor, and successful tournaments.

William Marshal's life is well documented because less than a year after his death in 1219, his eldest son and heir, William Marshal II, commissioned a record of his father's life in the form of the rhymed work "The History of William Marshal." The manuscript was discovered at an auction in 1861.

At first, William Marshal was an unknown, poor noble English warrior who did not possess more than his horse and some essential equipment. As a young boy, he was sent by his father to Normandy to be trained as a knight in the household of William de Tancarville, his mother's brother, Patrick, Earl of Salisbury.

It was an unquestionable and natural choice of a path to William's future success. He trained hard for seven years to perfect both knightly skills and refine his skills with the mace and sword.

Pembroke Castle is perhaps the most complete medieval castle in west Wales. Image credit: Britain Express

Marshal was knighted, probably by his uncle, in 1167 (1166) on a campaign in Upper Normandy at the time of the conflict between Henry II of England and Louis VII of France. He was offered many opportunities as a warrior and a brave and successful tournament participant.

William Marshal never broke his word and his oath of loyalty.

Making an oath of loyalty, William Marshal made one similar to this one: "Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him, on condition that he will hold to me as I shall deserve it, and that he will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to him and chose his will."

An important turning point in his career occurred during an ambush in 1168, when Patrick, Earl of Salisbury, and Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204), a Queen consort of France and England and mother of Richard I (the Lion-Heart) were returning from a pilgrimage.

The earl was killed, and William was injured but helped Eleanor to escape. He was later ransomed by Eleanor, who had heard of his bravery.

William Marshal, First Earl of Pembroke, died in 1219. The Temple Church, London

By the 1170s, William had become a popular but professional participant in tournaments, giving him almost legendary wealth. He was a strong, brave man, and his skills with a lance, mace, and sword, along with horsemanship, largely contributed to his successes.

He made a living from winning tournaments, which were at that time rather dangerous and often deadly. Matches were at that time challenging – often fatal battles. Money, armor, horses, and valuable prizes could be won by capturing and ransoming opponents.

Crossing Europe for twenty years, William Marshal allegedly defeated more than 500 knights, winning one tourney after another. He spent two years in the Holy Land fighting for King Guy of Jerusalem and the Knights Templar. Finally, he reached the royal court, where he stayed as a mentor of Henry the Young King, son of Henry II. On the death of the young Henry, Marshal was authorized by Henry II to take the young Henry's cross to Jerusalem.

On his return to England in 1185, William swore allegiance to King Henry II and served as his loyal captain against his rebellious son and heir, Richard. They soon became Richard I, The Lionheart.

In return, Henry II granted Marshal his first royal estate of Cartmel Lancashire, Cumbria. William became a vassal of King Henry II; he swore allegiance to him as his lord and king. Until Henry II's death in 1188, William Marshal served as his knight, ambassador, and counselor.

Château de Tancarville in Normandy, where William Marshal began his training as a knight. Image credit: John Sell Cotman - This file comes from Gallica Digital Library and is available under the digital ID btv1b20000671 - Public Domain

When Richard I came to the throne, he recognized Marshal as a brother and equal in chivalry. He fulfilled the promise his father made, and Richard gave Marshal the hand of Isabel de Clare, who possessed vast lands in Wales and Ireland.

As the owner of the lands, William Marshal became one of the greatest lords and magnates in the Plantagenet Kingdom and received the title Earl of Pembroke.

He left an enormous legacy in the form of the fortifications and development of castles and towns.

William Marshal died May 14, 1219, at Caversham and was buried as a Knight Templar. His grave can still be seen in the Temple Church in London.

The news of his death traveled across the Channel. He was mourned by the King of France and his court as the most trustworthy, clever, and best knight of his age.

Written by – A. Sutherland AncientPages.com Staff Writer

Updated on October 5, 2022

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