Marshal family

William Marshal's life is well documented because less than a year after his death in 1219, his eldest son William II commissioned a record of his father's life ("L' Historie de Guillaume le Marechal"). William was born around 1146, and as a younger son, becoming a knight was his natural choice of a path to success and survival. Marshal was sent to his father's cousin William of Tancarville, hereditary Chamberlain of Normandy, to be trained as a knight. He was knighted, probably by his uncle, in 1167.

In 1170 William Marshal was appointed head of the military household of the young Prince Henry by King Henry II. From this time until young Henry's death in June of 1183, Marshal was responsible for protecting, training and running the military household of the heir. In 1173, William Marshal knighted the young Henry, and thereby became Henry's lord in chivalry. We know that Marshal led young Henry and his followers to many victories on the tournament fields of Normandy. It is during the years from 1170 to 1183 that William Marshal established his status as an undefeated knight in tournaments. It is here that Marshal began to establish his friendships with the powerful and influential men of his day. His reputation and his character were built through his own actions and abilities. In this age of feudalism, Marshal was a landless knight. He had no lord from whom he could gain advantages or status. ... more

William Marshals obtained Pembroke Castle through his marriage to Isabel de Clare

• A1. Gilbert 'the Marshal';
  • B1. John FitzGilbert Mareschal, d:1165, m. Sybil of Salisbury;
    • C1. William Mareschal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, d:1219, m. Isabel de Clare;  ==>  de Clare family
      • D1. Maud Marshal, d:1248, m1. Hugh Bigod, m2. William Plantagenet de Warenne;  <==  Plantagenet Dynasty
      • D2. Isabel Marshal, lvd:1203/1240, m1. Gilbert de Clare, m2. Richard Plantagenet;  <==  de Clare family
      • D3. [m1]: Eva Marshal, m. William de Braose  <==  de Braose family