William Marshal is often hailed as the greatest medieval knight who ever lived. But is this reputation truly deserved? In the latest episode of the podcast series Talking Templars, Dr Steve Tibble and Tony McMahon discuss the real William Marshal and whether he was the incredible warrior depicted.
Marshal certainly had an eventful life. As a young child, he was held hostage by his father’s enemies who threatened to catapult the toddler over the walls of the family’s castle. Dr Tibble argues that his fame was actually achieved on the tournament field – as opposed to the battlefield.
He had a huge fortune and became an adviser to five kings of England. Indeed, in political terms, Marshal was a great survivor. On the death of King John, he was appointed regent and protector of the young King Henry III, pushing back against an attempted French invasion of England.
