The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, The Power Behind Five English Thrones
Who Would Like This Book:
Dive into medieval intrigue and chivalry! This biography brings the fascinating world of William Marshal - knight, advisor, and survivor of five English monarchs - to vibrant life. If you’re curious about knights, the evolution of tournaments, society in the High Middle Ages, or how Magna Carta came about, this book paints it all in vivid detail. It’s perfect for fans of historical nonfiction, medieval history buffs, and anyone who appreciates stories of unlikely rise and enduring loyalty. Even if you’re new to English history, it’s accessible, informative, and filled with larger-than-life real events.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers find the narrative occasionally drifts from Marshal himself, delving into broader historical events when source material on him thins out. If you’re looking for nonstop action or a purely character-driven story, the detours into medieval politics and society might not be your cup of tea. A few have also noted dense sections and minor factual nitpicks, especially for those already familiar with the era or seeking a strictly academic perspective.
About:
The Greatest Knight by Thomas Ashbridge is a detailed biography of William Marshall, a remarkable figure who rose from humble beginnings to serve five English thrones and played a crucial role in significant historical events such as the Magna Carta. Ashbridge skillfully weaves together Marshall's personal story with the broader context of the medieval period, providing insights into the life, politics, and warfare of the time. Through engaging storytelling and thorough research, the author brings to life the challenges and triumphs of Marshall, offering a vivid portrayal of a man who epitomized knightly chivalry while navigating the complexities of power and loyalty in a turbulent era.
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From The Publisher:
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 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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2 comment(s)
Great book, though it focuses more on the world William Marshall lived in than the Knight himself.
I know very little about Knights and was interested to give the books a go because I was curious to learn more. However I'm not quite sure if either the subject don't intressed me enough or that the book wasn't written in a compelling way for me. It was well written and reacherd. It just didn't blow my mind and make me more curious about the subject in question.
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