A review by slferg
The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, The Power Behind Five English Thrones by Thomas Asbridge
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Very interesting history of England with the central figure of William Marshall, a second son held as hostage by King Stephen in the Civil war between Steven and Matilda. Stephen threatened to kill hi when his father went over to Matilda, but the boy was do young he relented. He grew to manhood and served as knight to 5 English kings and led the fight to put 9 year old Henry III on the throne after the death of his father King John. He was said to be the only knight to defeat Richard the Lion Heart in a battle (a personal encounter during the battle).
The author’s assumptions about what Williams must have been thinking and trying to do got a little aggravating at times and are probably best skimmed over. But the information obtained about the overall events are quite interesting and clarifying.
Apparently the author was quite correct in saying the King John was so corrupt and loathsome to his subjects that there has never been another king so named.
The author’s assumptions about what Williams must have been thinking and trying to do got a little aggravating at times and are probably best skimmed over. But the information obtained about the overall events are quite interesting and clarifying.
Apparently the author was quite correct in saying the King John was so corrupt and loathsome to his subjects that there has never been another king so named.