A renowned scholar brings to life medieval England’s most celebrated knight, William Marshal—providing an unprecedented and intimate view of this age and the legendary warrior class that shaped it.Caught on the wrong side of an English civil war and condemned by his father to the gallows at age five, William Marshal defied all odds to become one of England’s most celebrated knights. Thomas … Thomas Asbridge’s rousing narrative chronicles William’s rise, using his life as a prism to view the origins, experiences, and influence of the knight in British history.
In William’s day, the brutish realities of war and politics collided with romanticized myths about an Arthurian “golden age,” giving rise to a new chivalric ideal. Asbridge details the training rituals, weaponry, and battle tactics of knighthood, and explores the codes of chivalry and courtliness that shaped their daily lives. These skills were essential to survive one of the most turbulent periods in English history—an era of striking transformation, as the West emerged from the Dark Ages.
A leading retainer of five English kings, Marshal served the great figures of this age, from Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine to Richard the Lionheart and his infamous brother John, and was involved in some of the most critical phases of medieval history, from the Magna Carta to the survival of the Angevin/Plantagenet dynasty. Asbridge introduces this storied knight to modern readers and places him firmly in the context of the majesty, passion, and bloody intrigue of the Middle Ages.
The Greatest Knight features 16 pages of black-and-white and color illustrations.
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This is medieval history at its very best – a compelling story told by a historian whose knowledge is both thorough and extensive, and whose enthusiasm for the subject rings out on every page.
Great book about life in the days of old. Really well written
I’m generally a reader of fiction, and avoided nonfiction because I still carried the bias that most nonfiction books read stiffly, like textbooks. However, when I first saw this book, I wanted to read it. Due to the compelling cover, it was the first (and only) Facebook ad I ever intentionally clicked, the first nonfiction/non-instructional book I had bought since I graduated college, and the first I’ve read in… a very long time.
I was NOT disappointed.
Not only is the story astounding in itself, but Asbridge’s writing was alive and heart-felt. It felt at times like he had to struggle to sound unbiased, because Marshal’s flaws never really came across as such (especially to a contemporary American reader). I grew so invested in the telling–and the words were so riveting–that my jaw dropped on a few occasions and I teared up when I reached the end and Marshal’s inevitable passing.
The effort Asbridge put into this book is clear: he cites several sources that support or contradict his primary source and acknowledges the opinions of contemporary and later historians. His thorough knowledge of the practices, traditions, and beliefs of the time period lends to a better understanding of everyone’s actions (and tempers the possible exaggerations of legend) and a colorful understanding of the “characters” involved. His asides on certain people and events added dramatically to my interest in the narrative as well as led me to seek out other narratives (for example, more information about the marriage between Matilda and Richard the Lion, the eight weeks between Eleanor’s annulment and her marriage to Henry of Anjou, and Nicola de la Haye–if anyone has any recs on these topics, LET ME KNOW!).
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the book gives a thorough description of the mythos, traditions, and lifestyles of early Medieval knights. As a writer of historical fiction, this book will prove to be a valuable resource, and I’ve marked mine up (much to the horror of my friends) with highlighter and marginalia.
this book describes a miraculous find, a manual that describes the events/life of a real knight
If one enjoys historical fiction or information about historical events, this book is for you
This books is tremendous. It’s both biography and history, as it describes the life of William Marshal while also shedding a great deal of light on the world in which he lived. It’s extremely well-written, and doesn’t fawn over its main character despite the title.
Marshal had his flaws just like anybody else, but he was a formidable opponent and loyal friend who had to grow into different roles as his life progressed. As an advisor to no fewer than five English kings (including Richard the Lionheart and his brother John of Magna Carta fame) during some of the most turbulent times in English history, Marshal had to navigate complex political waters.
Numerous failures were mixed in with his impressive list of successes, but his presence, counsel, and leadership proved invaluable. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
An interesting view into a time that I had little knowledge of. Seemingly well researched.
Well written narrative history of the greatest Knight of the Middle Ages
Excellent thorough history. Not a quick read, but incredible detail in pulling acom plicated historical period all together.
A character from early middle ages history I had not encountered previously. Very good.
A very detailed study of a man who lived an amazing life. The author brings medieval England to life. A lot of detail, historical and personal, and very informative.
How is it we’ve never heard of this knight?
Enjoyed it very much!
Fascinating account about an important, little known figure in Britsh history and European history.
A part of history I had missed
Fascinating look into England during the Reigns of Henry II (and Eleanor) and his sons Richard I, the Lion Heart, John, and grandson Henry III.
Easy to read historical account of what it really meant to be a knight in the midevil Times. Semi biographical account of one such knight in the early days of chivalry.
Actually it was informative, but it is very dry. I lost interest and didn’t finish after about half the book.