William Marshal

1146–1219

William Marshal was an Anglo-Norman knight, magnate, and statesman whose career spanned the reigns of Henry II of England ⓘ, Richard I of England, John of England ⓘ, and Henry III of England. Rising from a landless younger son to regent of England, he became one of the most influential figures of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries.

Born around 1146 to John Marshal and Sybilla of Salisbury, William’s early life was shaped by the civil war between Stephen and Empress Matilda. As a child he was held hostage during a siege involving his father; despite threats, Stephen did not carry out harm, and William survived an episode later woven into his legend.

Trained as a knight, Marshal gained early experience in aristocratic households and on campaign. A decisive moment came in 1168, when he was part of the escort accompanying Eleanor of Aquitaine ⓘ in Poitou during renewed unrest. The party was ambushed by members of the Lusignan family; William’s uncle, Patrick, Earl of Salisbury, was killed. William fought to secure Eleanor’s escape but was wounded and taken captive. Eleanor paid or arranged William’s ransom and ensured that he was thereafter properly equipped and supported, enabling him to advance securely into Angevin service as a knight. This episode marked a turning point in his career and established his reputation for loyalty and courage. 1

Marshal’s renown grew through his service to Henry the Young King, 2 to whom he was fiercely loyal until the prince’s death in 1183, and thereafter to Henry II himself during the rebellions of his sons. In the later years of Henry II’s reign, Marshal’s standing increased further. Chroniclers record that he was reputedly the only knight ever to unhorse the king’s son, Richard the Lionheart ⓘ, during a skirmish, killing Richard’s horse rather than striking the prince himself, an act later cited as proof of Marshal’s discipline and restraint. When Richard later departed on crusade as king, Marshal was entrusted with safeguarding royal interests at home.

Under King John, Marshal acted as adviser and negotiator and played a central role in the making and enforcement of Magna Carta. In 1189 he had married Isabel de Clare, one of the greatest heiresses in the realm, acquiring extensive lands in England, Wales, and Ireland and the title Earl of Pembroke.

After John’s death in 1216, Marshal was appointed regent for the nine-year-old Henry III. Despite being around seventy years old, he personally led royal forces at the Battle of Lincoln, defeating the rebel barons and their French allies and stabilising the kingdom. William Marshal died on 14 May 1219 at Caversham and was buried in Temple Church. Soon after his death, contemporaries, including Stephen Langton ⓘ, praised him as “the greatest knight that ever lived.” His life is recorded in the Histoire de Guillaume le Maréchal, one of the rare medieval biographies of a non-royal.