William Marshal

My name is William Marshal. As a young man nobody had ever heard of me. As an old man, they thought me the finest knight in Europe.

How did this happen? I’ll let you in on my secret.

First - be the best tournament fighter ever – people will take notice of you then, even if they don’t know your family.

Second –stay loyal even when your leader is losing. No-one likes a turncoat, but even your enemies respect loyalty.

Third – don’t expect too much from your kings or princes. I served four kings from one family, and they found it hard enough to be loyal to each other, let alone their subjects.

Skill, loyalty and low expectations from your leader – it’s a way of life, and sometimes it allows you to do great deeds.

I was granted Pembroke when I was given Isabel de Clare as my wife – the gift of one of the four kings I served. One of the kingdom’s finest castles and one of her richest heiresses, who gave me five sons... but it seemed there was a curse on our line.

This document in my hand was my greatest achievement – even though I myself could not read. It’s called the Magna Carta, which means “Great Charter”. I was the man who helped the king and the barons negotiate its terms in 1215, making it law. It tells kings and barons what they can and cannot do. Even 800 years later it’s a powerful symbol of how we can put limits on the strong and agree the rules of government. Step inside, to hear more about my life.