William Marshal: Knighthood, War and Chivalry, 1147-1219

by David Crouch

Ruthless opportunist, astute courtier, manipulative politician and brutal, efficient this is William Marshal as portrayed by David Crouch in his widely acclaimed biography of 'the Marshal'. With the new translation of the contemporary epic poem, Histoire de Giuillaume de Mareschal , and newly discovered documents, David Crouch has substantitvely re-worked and expanded his original volume. Now fully illustrated, this second edition represents a complete reappraisal of the career and character of this remarkable man, and provides a riveting account of the realities of aristocratic life in the age of chivalry.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Medieval History, Medieval, British Literature, Biography Memoir

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

David Bruce Crouch, FRHistS, FBA, was Professor of Medieval History at the University of Hull, where he taught from 2003 until his retirement in 2018.

Reviews

[Cecily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a scholary book on William Marshal and was one of the sources used by Elizabeth Chadwick
for her historical novel "The Greatest Knight" about William Marshal. Marshal was a 12th century
rag-to-riches hero. The unlanded 4th son of a minor knight, he became a tournament star, a member
of the court of Henri II and Eleanor of Acquitaine, the Earl of Pembroke by his marriage to the heiress to the title, and finally one of the Regents of King John's son, Henri 11I. Chadwicks novel is the
more interestng one to read if one is not a hard history buff.

[Alayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Elizabeth Chadwick's fictionalised account of William Marshall's life, I read this with an expectation of finding out more about him. I was mostly disappointed as it basically rehashed the "History" that was written less than a decade after he died, which Elizabeth Chadwick used to much greater effect. David Crouch also admitted that he didn't like the Knight in his intro, and made snide remarks about his motivations for actions he took, which I took exception to in a supposedly objective historical work.

[Alison Jeffreys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found out that this is the book Elizabeth Chadwick recommends for those who want to know more about William Marshal. Having read the first four books in her series, I was keen to find out more. Did I find out more? I'm not so sure, because it seems that Chadwick really knows as much about Marshal as anyone else, so a lot of this was familiar. I'm glad I was able to pick up a copy second hand as it's expensive to buy new, but it's a good read. Academic - with footnotes at the bottom of the page rather than at the back, which I like - but also really readable and accessible. Great for those who've read Chadwick's novels and want to learn more.

[Liam Guilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is essentially an historian's reassessment of 'The History of William Marshall', the Marshall's flattering biography, written probably at the request of his family shortly after his death. As one of the major written sources for everything from the European tournament circuit in the 12th century to the end of King John's reign and the improbable royalist victory in 1217, it has been dismissed as too obviously biased and also taken at face value.
By giving historical context, by weighing the accuracy of the History against other sources, and filling in some of the gaps in the Marshall's life, which are missing from the History, Crouch presents a much less flattering but far more realistic picture.
What looks like an almost unhinged loyalty to the Angevins now appears as a career policy that was richly rewarded. Nor was the Marshall immune to hedging his bets.
Crouch's book provides the necessary qualifications to the 'History'. While he admits to not liking his subject, he does present an even handed portrait of a fascinating man.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating biography of William Marshall, his life and times. Crouch doesn't just use the "Histoire de Guillaume le Marchale" as his source, he uses Marshall's documents and court records to build a fuller picture of he man - one he considers more canny that most biographers have in the past. He sees Marshall as a clever manipulator of events to his own advantage, yet ethical enough that these ends were of benefit to England. He gives some detail of his career in Ireland and his relationship with King John. Great reading.

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several biographies of William Marshal and this is, by far, my favorite. The writing style is very good, clear and concise. He uses the sources you would expect, but also discusses areas that are vague and substantiates his reasoning by solid evidence and thinking. He also places Marshal in the context of his time so we get a glimpse of life in the 13th century. Anyone interested in this era or William Marshal in particular would very much enjoy this book.

[Julie Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography of William Marshal, a commoner who used his charm and military skills to rise to be one of the most important political power players in England during the reigns of King Richard, King John and as Regent to King Henry III. Crouch believes Marshal to be a charming, intelligent, athletic and skilled in knightly tournaments. (He also uses the word 'devious', which I do not think his own writing proves.) He definitely proves Marshal is not just blindly following his King in chivalric duty (as Duby and Painter believe), but is surely looking out for his own best interest. It is amusing that it is clear the author doesn't actually like The Marshall, while showing his (mostly positive) impact on English History.

Like all biographies, Crouch uses the famous (and excellent) "L'Historie de Guillaume le Marechal, comte de striguil et d Pembroke" IE "The History of William Marshal" written in middle French sometime in the early 1220s as the basis for his biography of Marshal. Crouch adds to the scholarship is in 3 ways:
1. He places the action in time - it's not just that his father switched sides during the anarchy, by WHY he switched sides. What reasons could he have to not marry his first ward and become a land owner? Why did he not hurt the Rebels further in 1217? etc.

2. His use of secondary sources is enlightening. Crouch uses Marshal's own Charters, pipe rolls, letters in addition to those of his neighbors, knights and kings to fully flesh out WHERE Marshal was and who he is with. This greatly enlarges the portrait of Marshal and his family, and also points out where L'History is mistaken (or even enhancing our Hero's activities)

3. The final 3 chapters [The Marshal's Men, Love and Lordship and The Chivalry of the Marshal] are a deep dive into how Marshal was typical of his age, and how he was different. In particular chapters 5 & 6 examine how feudal England was changing and how Marshal's charisma (and military skill) helped him navigate these changes.

This is a must read for anyone interested in William Marshal.

[Not sure I totally believe the following but it's a great Elenore of Aquitaine quote! ]
"What was it about William Marshal that won him so much so easily? ...What he did have was practical intelligence, and the assurance to make quick, confident decisions. ... The mental assurance was complemented by physical co-ordination and confidence. He was undoubtedly a big, healthy, and prepossessing man, a fine athlete and horseman. The mixture of quick wit and hand made him as perfect a warrior as he was to become in time a commander. The crown of his fortune was that he had an open face, a ready humor and and underlying alertness for his own advantage that made him as natural a courtier as he was a soldier. The Queen of England, as good a judge of a male animal as might be found in the mid twelfth century France, was bound to be impressed. William's face was his fortune." pg 39

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent and concise biography of William Marshal. Marshall was a young knight of little means that through political maneuvering, prowess at tournaments, and astute battlefield command found himself advancing upward in English aristocracy until he served as the King's Regent in England c. 1218-1219 before his sudden death. Much of what we know about Marshal comes from the thirteenth-century HISTORY that records his life and accomplishments. Crouch relies extensively on this HISTORY and leans on the work of other modern scholars who have written more extensive and lengthier treatments of the Marshal.

David Crouch writes a strong biography that in the first three chapters walks the reader through William Marshal's narrative, birth through death, with a general focus on his military and political accomplishments. The second part, and the strongest in my opinion, offers three thematic chapters that explore how William Marshal's life intersected with socio-political transformations during twelfth century English history: the transition from older Medieval feudalism to "bastard feudalism" where the relationship between barons and their retinue of knights was established upon the latter's personal self-interest and not upon feudal and kin obligations for fealty and service; the redefinition of knighthood as both a military occupation and an esteemed social class; the emergence of the "preudomme," or the "tried and tested" man who was discrete, honorable, loyal, and jealous of his reputation.

Crouch's major achievement, in 1990, was using William Marshal's posthumous biography and Marshal's charters to open a window onto the complexities of twelfth century aristocratic advancement, ideas about chivalry, and the affinity between lords and their military household. This is a fine example of how 'military history' and 'biography' (both fairly disparaged sub-fields of history) can offer amazing insights into the economic, social, and political arrangements of a period.

Highly recommended.

[Sabina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A significant work on the life and times of William Marshal, as well as a study of it's main source, L'Histoire de Guillaume de Marechal, presented in an accessible and readable style. The book is packed with facts and detailed information, much more than the number of pages would suggest, as well as an excellent bibliography and copious amounts of notes. I would have liked more illustrations, but that is a minor quibble. Well-written and evidencing sterling research, this is a serious work of medieval history.

[Jodi McMaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was tempted to give this a five star rating because of Crouch's ability to convey humor based in medieval happenings. Academicians generally feel too constrained by the unspoken rules of their community to make the offhand, clever observations that Crouch does over and over. Add this to the inherently interesting character of Marshall and the high Middle Ages, and you've got one of the best "authoritative" books about the late 12th and early 13th century history of England and Normandy.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a scholarly book which was refreshing after some of the more popular medieval biographies I've read lately. However there's little about the Marshall's relationships with his wife and children which would have rounded out his character in a more satisfying way.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful biography of the greatest non-fictional knight from the High Middle Ages. Eminently readable.

[Darcey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Remarkably short, and not particularly impressive for its content:cost ratio.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and detailed biography.