Knighthood explained in a unique biography
Review of The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshall, The Power Behind Five English Thrones by Thomas Asbridge
Though William Marshal shaped his time and achieved fame in his lifetime, he was largely forgotten until the only copy of an epic poem about him was rediscovered in 1861. This book follows the poem, piecing together his remarkable career and life from a variety of sources. He was the archetypical knight: chivalrous, Christian, an ethical killer, a fierce courtier, an accumulator of wealth. It is also the story of the early Angevin Dynasty, from Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Crusades to the Magna Carta. Through it all, he was the unfailingly loyal intimate of the first 5 Angevin kings.
In 1147, Marshal was born during a calamitous dynastic contest in Norman England. His father was a minor noble seeking advantage during the lawless and complete breakdown of public order. For a long period of his childhood, he was a political hostage, the brutal education ground in courtly life that many young nobles experienced – if the prisoner survived (and as a child Marshal was nearly hung), they gained invaluable lessons about the dangers of the courtier career. Though relatively poor and a middle son, William was able to secure a training post in knighthood from a rich patron in Tancerville, Normandy.
The concept of the Knight was fairly new: with the establishment of the stone castle (Le Chateau Fort), society began to be reorganized into more lasting institutional structures. One of these was the Knight, a mounted warrior with armor that made them virtually impregnable against the weapons of the time: sword, mace, short bow, cross bow, and lance. In an effort to standardize Christian practices as well as prevent knights from preying on the lower classes, Pope Gregory VII undertook a series of reforms, including the establishment of ethical codes for knights, the preudhomme (ideal warrior). In 1095, Pope Urban II called for knights to join a holy war, a crusade to reconquer Jerusalem, the holiest site of Christendom. With that, the supposed character and accepted practices of the Knight were complete.
Marshal’s training lasted until 1166. Because it was a time of relative peace – Henry II (r. 1151-1189) had firmly established control – the principal outlet of knightly energies was the tournament. This was not the jousting popular in films, but a violent sport, almost mini-wars: prisoners were taken and ransomed, booty harvested, and the combat was real and potentially lethal. A young Knight could get noticed for valor and proper comportment, a way to patronage on a team, or mesnie, which was sworn to serve a feudal lord. After initial setbacks, Marshal quickly became a tournament superstar, coming to the notice of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who introduced him into the Angevin Dynasty’s household.
Henry II was the central figure for most of his career. While a forceful king, he could not delegate power to his sons, which led to anger and later, open rebellion. Marshall was first hired to act as mentor and companion to her eldest son and designated heir, the young Henry. This principally involved a decade of tournaments, making them celebrities of a sort. Marshal did not abandon the young Henry during the first rebellion, however reluctant his support. In a way, this unflinching loyalty burnished his reputation.
Upon the young Henry’s early death (from a “fever”), Marshal was so esteemed that the elder Henry forgave him and hired him as counsel and general. This led to a distinguished military career as well as his establishment as a courtier. His service during the Crusades was undistinguished largely because most of the 2 years he was in Jerusalem were peaceful.
Once Richard I (Coeur de Lion) finally triumphed over his father in the 1189 rebellion, Marshal was promoted into even higher positions, as Earl of Pembroke as well as co-justiciar of England while Richard fought in the Crusades. This catapulted him into the top ranks of the aristocracy, a career triumph for a minor noble. He married and had 7 children. Interestingly, Asbridge esteems Richard very highly and includes a mini-biography of his leadership style and military record.
When John (Henry II’s youngest son) succeeded Richard I in 1177, Marshal entered his service as well. Unfortunately, perhaps due to John’s paranoia and undisciplined nature, their early years were extremely difficult, resulting in exile and eventually a feudal war for Marshal’s properties. Marshal was able to weather the storm and triumphed over his rival, largely because John needed his support against rebellious barons. Marshal then re-entered John’s service, becoming a chief negotiator with the barons on behalf of the original Magna Carta (1215), which Asbridge evaluates as less consequential than traditionally portrayed. John died in 1216, also of fever.
John’s death led to a dynastic dispute. His son, Henry III, was only 9 years of age at the time and one of the Capets, the great rivals of the Angevins, had legitimate claims to the throne as well. Marshall again played a key role, this time as military strategist and then regent for the child king. This involved repelling a massive invasion of England. Marshal then retired shortly before his death in 1219.
This book offers a splendid introduction to the concept of knighthood as well as the dynastic machinations the feudal era. Marshal’s portrait is full and satisfying, a unique view into a great career. The book is also beautifully written.
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