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Biography
Biography
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Marshal, William (Earl of Pembroke)

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 Born1146   Born At
 Died1219  Buried At
 Born1146 / 
 Died1219 / 
Beginning penniless, William Marshal became an important figure, respected by Henry II, Richard I and King John. At the age of at least seventy he led forces against Louis VIII of France to assist a nine-year old King Henry III retain his throne.

At the age of five or six William was given to King Stephen as a hostage. Stephen's kindness prevented William's death. William was trained as a squire in the Tancarville family, an important family in Normandy. William's allegiance to King Henry II and his sons, the Young King and Richard (I) is complicated, swapping sides from time to time, but he had the respect of them all. William was also loyal to King John, supporting him against his many enemies. When King John died, William was named as the guardian of John's son Henry (III), saying that 'the land will never be held by anyone except with his help'. After the death of king John, William re-issued the Magna Carta in 1216 to re-affirm the power of the monarchy and he removed any reference that might impose restrictions on this. In 1217 the Magna Carta again was amended to clarify the feudal content. William assisted King Henry III retain the throne when it was under threat from Louis VIII of France.

When William married Isabel de Clare the heiress of the Earl of Pembroke he took the title as well as ownership of Pembroke Castle. William started major reconstruction work at the castle in stone.

William Marshal died in 1219 leaving the country united under the monarchy. His eldest son, also called William, inherited the title of Earl of Pembroke. William Marshall is buried in the round church of the London Temple and his tomb can still be seen there.


Related Episodes

Excommunication of King John (click here)

Excommunication of King John (click here)

The First Barons' War (click here)

The First Barons' War (click here)

Event Location Map (click image to explore)

 

Family Tree Details

 Marshal, William (Earl of Pembroke) (b.1146 - d.1219)
 Marshal, William (Earl of Pembroke) (b.1146 - d.1219)

See Also

    People

    • Henry (II, King of England 1154-1189)
    • John (King of England 1199-1216)
    • Richard (I, King of England 1189-1199)
    • Burgh, Hubert de (Earl of Kent)
    • Marshal, Richard (Earl of Pembroke)
    • Clare, Richard fitzGilbert de (Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke)
    • Louis (VIII, The Lion, King of France 1223-1226)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Places

    • Goodrich Castle
    • Chepstow Castle
    • Newark Castle
    • Pembroke Castle
    • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

    Other

    • Normandy
    • The Magna Carta

    Timeline

    1152(Age: 6yrs)
    ...
    William Marshal as hostage

    At the age of five or six, William Marshal was handed over to King Stephen as a hostage. Instead of being killed, which was possible, William began a new life that would make him a knight.  ¹

    1185(Age: 39yrs)
    Apr
    John in Ireland

    John accepted the post of Lord or Ireland and travelled there to take control. He was around eighteen years old and took his friends of the same age with him. They treated the native Irish barons with contempt and the English soldiers were unable to subdue the Irish fighters in unfamiliar conditions and the mission soon became a complete disaster. By the end of the year John returned to England. William Marshal, the Earl of Pembroke was entrusted with the task of controlling Ireland.

    1189(Age: 43yrs)
    ...
    William Marshal and Chepstow Castle

    In 1189 William Marshal married Isabel, the heiress of Earl Richard de Clare. Isabel's castles passed to William including Pembroke Castle. ¹

    Jul 6
    Henry II Dies

    King Henry II died at Chinon and was buried in the choir church of Fontevrault. Richard, his eldest son, became King of England. William Marshal, who served under Henry II and was favoured by Richard, was sent to England to prepare for Richard's arrival. ¹

    1199(Age: 53yrs)
    May 26
    Important Appointments

    John landed back in England on the 25th at Shoreham in Sussex. He reached London on the 26th and chose people to help him run the country. He appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury, Hubert Walter, as Chancellor. Geoffrey fitz Peter was chosen as Justiciar and William, Earl of Pembroke, became Marshal of John's household. ¹

    1204(Age: 58yrs)
    ...
    Goodrich given to William Marshal

    King John gave Goodrich Castle to William Marshal on his marriage to the heiress of the earldom of Pembroke. ¹

    ...
    William Marshall captures Cilgerran

    William Marshall captured the Welsh castle at Cilgerran in Pembrokeshire from the Welsh.

    Spring
    Peace negotiations with France

    After losing Normandy to the French, John sent an embassy to France to negotiate with Philippe. In the party that went from England were Hubert Walter and William Marshal. The negotiations failed due to Philippe's demands. ¹

    1205(Age: 59yrs)
    Summer
    More castles fall to the French

    The castles at Chinon and Loches both fell to the French as Philippe strengthened his position. Again William Marshall travelled to see Philippe to agree peace terms, but his attempts were destroyed by Hubert Walter who sent a secret letter to Philippe telling him not to accept William Marshal's promise that John would do homage to Philippe. (What's going on here?) ¹

    1207(Age: 61yrs)
    ...
    Marshall inherits the lands of Leinster in Ireland

    As Earl of Pembroke, William Marshall inherited the lands of Leinster in Ireland. The link between Pembroke and Leinster started when Richard de Clare married the daughter of the King of Leinster in 1170.

    1212(Age: 66yrs)
    Nov
    John accepts Pope's demands

    Taking the advice of William Marshal John accepted the demands of the Pope and that Stephen Langton should become Archbishop. A peace mission was also sent to the Pope. ¹

    1215(Age: 69yrs)
    May 27
    A truce is sought

    Stephen Langton and William Marshall attempted to get the Barons and John to meet and find a settlement to the civil war.  ¹

    1217(Age: 71yrs)
    May 20
    Battle of Lincoln

    King Henry III's supporters defeated the forces belonging to Prince Louis and the rebel barons that were besieging the castle at Lincoln.

    Sep 12
    Treaty of Kingston

    The defeat of the French fleet left Prince Louis without much hope of taking the English throne. William Marshall blockaded London from the sea and land and at Lambeth Louis accepted peace terms. Louis waived his claim to the throne of England and should have restored Normandy to Henry but did not. Louis was paid 10,000 marks to ensure he left the country as soon as possible. William Marshall pardoned all those who had supported Louis.

    1219(Age: 73yrs)
    ...
    William Marshal dies

    William Marshal is succeeded by Peter de Roches, Bishop of Winchester and Hubert de Burgh who was Justiciary.

    On this day in history:

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    Selection of references used:

    • 1. M.T. Clancy, England and its Rulers 1066-1272, ISBN:0-00-686014-1
    • 2. John Kinross, Discovering Castles in England and Wales
    • 3. John Gillingham, The Life and Times of Richard I, 1974
    • 4. Maurice Ashley, The Life and Times of King John
    • 5. Goodrich Castle English Heritage Guide

      See Also

        People

        • Henry (II, King of England 1154-1189)
        • John (King of England 1199-1216)
        • Richard (I, King of England 1189-1199)
        • Burgh, Hubert de (Earl of Kent)
        • Marshal, Richard (Earl of Pembroke)
        • Clare, Richard fitzGilbert de (Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke)
        • Louis (VIII, The Lion, King of France 1223-1226)
        • A .. Z List of Medieval People

        Places

        • Goodrich Castle
        • Chepstow Castle
        • Newark Castle
        • Pembroke Castle
        • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

        Other

        • Normandy
        • The Magna Carta
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