The Knight Who Saved England: William Marshal and the French Invasion, 1217

By Richard Brooks

In 1217 England was facing her darkest hour, with foreign troops pillaging the country and defeat close at hand. But, at the battle of Lincoln, the seventy-year-old William Marshal led his men to a victory that would secure the future of his nation. Earl of Pembroke, right-hand man to three kings and regent for a fourth, Marshal was one of the most celebrated men in Europe, yet is virtually unknown today, his impact and influence largely forgotten. In this vivid account, Richard Brooks blends colourful contemporary source material with new insights to uncover the tale of this unheralded icon. He traces the rise of Marshal from penniless younger son to renowned knight, national hero and defender of the Magna Carta. What emerges is a fascinating story of a man negotiating the brutal realities of medieval warfare and the conflicting demands of chivalric ideals, and who against the odds defeated the joint French and rebel forces in arguably the most important battle in medieval English history - overshadowing even Agincourt.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing Ltd
• Release date: Apr 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781472808363

Richard Brooks

Richard Brooks (1912–1992) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Temple University. A novelist, director, screenwriter, and producer, he was known for hard-hitting dramatic films that addressed social themes and for his skillful adaptation of literary material for the screen. His celebrated films include The Blackboard Jungle, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Elmer Gantry and Looking for Mr. Goodbar. After serving in the Marine Corps during World War II, Brooks wrote The Brick Foxhole (1945), The Boiling Point (1948) and The Producer (1951) before turning full-time to movies.

Reviews for The Knight Who Saved England

[jbennett_733672 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this very interesting about a person who I had never header about and a time I knew very little about apart from the cliches of bad King John and the warrior Richard the Lionheart.

I read it very piecemeal so did find it tricky to keep track of everything that was happening and how the different people fitted together. i thin this is a case where a printed copy wins over the Kindle edition as I feel it is much easier to refer back.

[melisende-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The chronicler Roger of Wendover, who wrote an account of events (Flower of History trans by JA Giles London 1849), said …“This battle, which, in derision of Louis and the barons, they called “The Fair,” took place on the 19th of May, which was on the Saturday in Whitsun-week; it commenced between the first and third hour, and was finished by these good managers before the ninth."This then is the back-drop to Richard Brooks’ book, The Knight Who Saved England. He was "marshal and then regent of England who served four English monarchs as a royal adviser and agent and as a warrior of outstanding prowess."Needless to say, the life and character of William Marshal is extraordinary and you will find a list of further reading at the end of Brooks’ book..

[medievalgirl-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was the first biography of William Marshal I have read, though I recently became more interested in him, due perhaps in part to Thomas Asbridge’s recent BBC Documentary. I can’t make comparison with others, though I really should make an effort to read David Crouch’s William Marshal: Knighthood War and Chivalry in the near future.

I would describe this book as more of a military biography, with extensive attention given to battles, campaigns, strategy and logistics. There is some danger of getting ‘bogged down’ in the detail (and there is a lot of detail) but it’s a book worth persevering with- though I confess it took me nearly two months to finish it, which is not usual considering the Kindle edition is only 250 pages. Not that the book is bad (and I can plead mitigating circumstances), on the contrary it’s a fascinating, crammed full of detail, asides and interesting tidbits (I never knew Archbishop Stephen Langton was the man who divided the Bible into chapters) but those expecting a quick, light and easy read may be disappointed.

However, anyone seeking a well-researched overview of the life, times and historical legacy of ‘The Marshall’, to give them a good ‘sense’ of the period should be pleased. I wouldn’t agree with all of the author’s conclusion’s or comparisons (he does seem to judge by modern standards every so often), the structure could have been better, and perhaps he has fallen in love with his subject. Yet for all his failings, which any failings he did have, it would be hard to admire William Marshal. How many septuagenarians, even today could lead a charge in battle or a regency government?

It would be no crime to finish this book with the belief that William Marshal is one of the great (if not the Greatest) largely unsung heroes of English history, who has been unfairly forgotten and side-lined. How many have heard of the Battle of Lincoln, or the naval debacle at Sandwich? Like King Alfred having been unjustly reduced in the popular memory to little more than the King who burned the cakes, William Marshall deserves more credit and popular recognition.

Altogether, recommended reading. I received a ebook version of this title from Netgalley in exchange for review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.