The Greatest Knight That Ever Lived: William Marshal

When William Marshal died in 1219, he was the Earl of Pembroke, and the regent for the young Henry III, after defeated a great rebellion of English lords and thrown back a devastating invasion by the French.

Archbishop Stephen Langton called him “the greatest knight in the world.”

His talent as a knight, on the battlefield and as a tournament champion, won him renown and riches through hundreds of victories.

For 51 years he loyally served King Henry II, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, their sons Henry the Young King, Richard the Lionheart, King John, and their grandson Henry III.

But was he really the greatest knight who ever lived?

This is the incredible life story of William Marshal.

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*Video Chapters*

00:00 The Greatest Knight
01:25 Video Sponsor
02:42 Part 1 - A Child at War
09:43 Part 2 - Tournament Champion
17:45 Part 3 - The Young King
24:45 Part 4 - Royal Service
33:16 Part 5 - The Death of the King
41:58 Part 6 - Guardian of the Realm

[DanDavisHistory]

Thanks for watching. Please do hit "like" on the video, it really helps me out.

[manofgod]

Got married at 43; had 10 children; led armies out to battle at age 70: there’s still hope for me yet!

[johncalabria]

What a fantastic knight! The title doesn't exaggerate, he truly was the greatest knight that ever existed. While it is sad that his house died through the male line, it's important to me that through his daughter Isabel, he was the great-great-grandfather of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, and is an ancestor to all the English Monarchy from King Henry VIII to the current King Charles III. What a legacy!

[rabidspatula]

William Marshall has to be one of the most impressive individual physical combatants for the sheer volume of documented combats he prevailed in.

[Russell_Huston]

I was watching the film "The Lion In Winter", a great film by the way, and in the first scene a knight rides up to King Henry and Henry tells him to get Queen Eleanor and his sons and bring them to Chinon for Christmas. He calls him "Captain Marshall", and I'm thinking "I'll bet that was a real person", so I looked him up, and WOW was he! What a colorful life he lived. A true soldier-statesman. Thanks for this presentation.

[mattstakeontheancients]

How many men at age 70 can say they fought on the front lines of a country saving battle. This man saved the kingdom of England at 70 years old. The fact there isn’t a movie based on this almost mythological knight is a travesty. To say he’s the greatest knight in history isn’t a stretch at all. So many times he could have taken the easy way out but stuck to his principles even well past his prime.

[RandallvanOosten-lnwf]

Wow!! What an inspirational story. To have saved the 9 year old king and also defeat Philip of France at the age of 70 is mind-boggling. However, his unwavering loyalty is what marks him as a legend.

[fidelogos]

I read Thomas Asbridge's The Greatest Knight several years ago and it was good to be reminded again of William Marshall. He served four kings and led an English army into battle at the age of 70. Surely the epitome of knighthood.

[leecox]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. William Marshal is my 21st great grandfather and I am proud to share blood with such a noble man.

[thomaszaccone]

He WAS the greatest knight ever, not just skilled in arms, but also a man of honor and loyalty. Sad his line died out.

[glenndavis]

William Marshall is possibly the greatest combatant knight known.
Glad you are telling people about him.

[strafe]

William Marshal was certainly the Greatest Knight in English history, and if it wasn't for him then Louis might've succeeded in taking control of England.

The course of Human History would have been Drastically different if not for this one man, and that cannot be said of most historical figures.

[armynurseshark]

One of my favorite historical persons. I have always felt that he truly was the epitome of the Greatest Knight.

[GoodGnewsGary]

Fantastic work Dan! It's truly astonishing that we know of his great deeds 800 years later. This is the first I've heard of him, keep up the great content!

[michaelbatsford]

As an Englishman this moved me I love our rich history so much. What a time to be alive! Thanks for the video

[impudentdomain]

The Marshall of England ! Amazing that more movies have not been made about this guy and his astounding life.

[bohdan]

The best documentary on William Marshall I have ever seen. Bravo !Why the HELL hasn't Hollywood made a Blockbuster out of this story. Considering the Garbage they usually pump out, this would in turn be Monumental !

[radio-sulh]

Wow what a national hero. Ashamed to say (as an Englishman), I’d never heard of him. Thank for enlightening me 🤗

[levantos]

That was one of most entertaining YouTube video's I've ever seen. Mind, officially, blown. William Marshall. We need a proper film/TV Show on this guy.

[oldhippiejon]

I had just started secondary school when I picked up a book on this man, my history teacher was in the library at the time and filled me in on the man emphasizing what we the people owed him. It kicked of my interest in those times something that stayed with me through 60 years and a bookshelf full of books.