1. WILLIAM MARSHAL /Guillaume Mareshal (1144?-May 14th 1219 age 75) 1189 (he was 45) Married to the wealthy Isobel De Clare (18) - given to him by Richard. Buried in the Temple Church London having joined the Knights Templar not long before he died. Son and Grandson of court officials at King Henry 1 Son of John Marshal - a minor official and petty landowner -John Marshal seized castles in King Stephen's name but when Matilda gained the upper hand he switched loyalties to her and re-married the sister of the future earl of Salisbury. This marriage produced four sons and two daughters The second son born about 1144 was William.

2. As a boy William was taken as Hostage by King Stephen who led him to the scaffold when his father said he "still had the anvil and hammers to forge still finer sons" But williams innocence touched the King's heart. Someone suggested they catapult William over the castle walls. But Stephen saved him - "William you will never be harmed by me" 1156 William (12) sent by his father to be educated as a knight in the castle of William of tancarville in Normandy-chamberlain to the duke of normandy. Apprenticeship as squire involved training with lance and sword.,caring for his masters weapons, horse, dressing him, waiting on him at table, carving his meat etc.. From the songs and romances sung in the castle hall he absorbed the ideology of knighthood. At twenty in 1164, William was knighted northwest of Rouen by the Lord Tarcanville.-Blessing of the sword and christian-religious investment of every element of the ceremony took place.

3. William was bathed, clothed in a white robe, with a narrow belt (to shun the sins of the flesh). In church given a gilded spur (courage to serve God), sword (fight the enemy and protect the poor from the rich), the colee-a blow of the hand on the shoulder or head."-in remembrance of him who ordained you and dubbed you knight". He continued brilliant success at tournaments.-a melee in which two sides fought a mock battle.capturing horses/weapons and having ransoms (arranged beforehand)-carrying 40 pounds of iron. When William returned to England in 1167 his father and stepbrothers had died. Henry 2nd chose William to take charge of his son's training in 1170when Young Henry was crowned. Young Henry rebelled against his father with William's support but lost in 1174. In 1175 William accompanied the two Henry's-reconciled- to England. Twelve years of Knight errantry with Young Henry followed. William acted as bodygaurd to the young King at Tournaments. In 1177 William travelled with Roger De Gaugi for 2 years going to tournaments. In 10months they took 103 knights prisoner. He also entertained others with his singing. 1179 He rejoined the Young King's household. In a tournament, William routed the King of France's knights who were almost defeating the old King west of Paris.Young Henry died in 1183 and made William (41) take his crusaders cloak with the red cross on the shoulder and go to the Holy Sepulchre in Jersusalem. William went with 2 of Henry 2nds horses for 2 years to Syria. Returning to France in 1187 He (45)entered the service of Henry 2nd in Normandy.

4. He was given a fief in Lancashire and the promise of marriage to a wealthy 18yr old daughter of the Earl of Pembroke. Isabel De Clare. With lands in Wales and Ireland it was to make him one of the most powerful barons in England. King Richard made him this (although William had fought against him) as Henry died too soon. William was 45 years old.(Lordship of Striguil-a 100 square mile area in the Wye and Chepstow Castle.-counties of Kildare, Carlow, KilKenny, Wexford, Queens and part of Kings.. His elder brother died and he inherited (52) the office of the King's Marshal in 1194.

5. 1199 (57) he became Earl of Pembroke. He became King John's most trusted counsellor and captain. It was William who was sent to London to tell the barons that for "the sake of the peace and welfare and honour of his realm" the King would grant the concessions they demanded.. He was chief negotiator at Runnymede.(71/72 years old) He was an example of the upwardly mobile knight of the twellfth century. Vassalic system of loyalties. William gave his son to John and John D'Erley for 1 year. Freed in 1213 because John needed barons help to fight philip. William became the Regent for the 12 year old King.He represented the age of chivalry when the rough hewn ethics of the men of war whose values were:Prowess,generosity,loyalty. He represented the triumph of honour against money, of loyalty againstc the state-of having borne chivalry to its fulfillment (William Marshal the flower of Chivalry by Georges Duby Faber and Faber and The knight in History by Francis Gies Ch 5 Robert Hale London)) SONAMAGNA LINK