William Marshall is known historically as England’s greatest knight. A skillful swordsman and warrior who was able to elicit unwavering loyalty from the men who followed him, Marshall was an acknowledged leader of his time. He also became a skillful statesman who served and was the power behind five English thrones.

When John FitzGilbert, William’s father, made the fateful choice to back Empress Matilda rather than King Stephen, life became very difficult for his family during what become know as The Anarchy. When King Stephen finally asserted control of England, Matilda’s supporters were considered traitors to the crown, and at age six, William was taken hostage by King Stephen as surety for his own father’s good behavior. His father ever defiant is famously quoted as saying that he had the “anvil and iron” to forge even better children as William is led away. Those were some of the last words William ever heard his father say.

From that ill fated beginning, William begins to forge his own life. Although penniless, William was able to be come a soldier of some repute and when, by chance, he saves the life of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, his life takes a dramatic turn. Grateful for his help, Queen Eleanor appoints William to tutor the heir to the throne, Prince Henry. this should have been an easy time for William but Prince Henry became impatient and defied  his own father, King Henry II. William, despite his reservations, continues to serve Prince Henry loyally and faithfully honoring his oath until the prince’s untimely death.  King Henry, is furious and heartbroken at his son’s defiance, but does not seem to hold William to blame and instead is grateful for William’s faithful and honorable service to his son. Escaping what might have been certain death for treason, William Marshall lives on to become one of the most powerful men in England.

This ability to see what was required by honor and rather than follow what seemed  expedient seems to have been William Marshall’s special gift. Throughout his remarkable life William was presented with numerous opportunties to choose between  honor, wealth or power and somehow he was able to remain faithful, loyal and honorable  throughout his life.

Elizabeth Chadwick, is a well known author in England whose books are now becoming more readily available here. Like Sharon Kay Penman, Anya Seton, Phillipa Gregory or Jean Plaidy, her books are remarkably well researched and are full of the most interesting details of  daily life and culture in the 13th century. Her characters are vibrant, and over the course of these six books we see William Marshall grow from childhood, manhood and on into full maturity and old age. Her ability to hold his personality and essence intact throughout the scope of his life is quite remarkable.

William Marshall left an indelible imprint on the world. Not only was he partially responsible for the Magna Carta, his descendents included the Stuart kings of England and Scotland and also George Washington and Winston Churchill!

If you love historic fiction then I highly recommend these six books, A Place Beyond Courage, The Greatest Knight. The Scarlet Lion, For the King’s Favor, To Defy a King, and Templar Silks, as well as many other books by Chadwick.

Brenda’s Rating ****(4 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Sharon and Marian

Book Study Worthy? Yes!

Read in ebook format.