William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke

William Marshal
Arms of William Marshal
Earl of Pembroke
Tenure10 July 1199 — 14 May 1219
PredecessorTitle created
SuccessorWilliam Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
Bornc. 1146
Caversham, Berkshire
Died14 May 1219(1219-05-14) (aged 72–73)
Caversham, Berkshire
Buried24 May 1219
Temple Church, London
Noble familyMarshal
Spouse(s)
(m. 1189)
Issue
FatherJohn Marshal
MotherSybilla of Salisbury
ReligionRoman Catholicism
Regent of England
Tenure19 October 1216 — 14 May 1219
MonarchHenry III

William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (c. 1146 — 14 May 1219), sometimes called William, the Marshal or simply the Marshal amd also William Marshal I and nicknamed the Great or the Fearless was an English knight and a nobleman who served four kings of England during his time as a knight: Henry II, Richard I, John, and Henry III. He was the Regent of England during the childhood of King Henry III from the king's ascending to the throne in 1216 until William's death in 1219.

During his time, he was one of the most important persons in the monarchy next to the Royal family itself. He was noted for his superior combat skills, his continuing loyalty to his Kings and his great ability in diplomacy. Marshal began his life as a “landless” knight to become the Earl of Pembroke and one of the wealthiest men in the country.

Shortly after his death in 1219 at the age of 73, his oldest son, William Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, commissioned a biography of the life of his father. Though biographers often embellish their subjects, many of the events of William's life stated there are clearly recorded elsewhere in historical records. Five of his sons succeded William as the Earl of Pembroke: William, Richard, Gilbert, Walter, and Anselm.

William had a great reputation. He was considered to be one of the greatest and most loyal knights in history. William was very active fighting in battles even in his old age. He successfully defeated the French at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217. William led his army to victory and thus, resulted in winning the First Barons' War for King Henry III and resisting the French invasion.


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