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William Marshal 1st Earl of Pembroke

William Marshal 1st Earl of Pembroke (1147 – 14 May 1219) was regarded by many to be the ‘best knight that ever lived’ and one of the most powerful men in Europe. He served four kings: Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, John and Henry III and by the time he died, people throughout Europe referred to him simply as “the Marshal”.

William Marshal played an important role in the political and military history of Wales and the Marches. He was a benefactor of the abbeys of Tintern and Pembroke, the priory at Pill near Milford Haven and granted the town of Haverfordwest its charter.

1189 – Marshal became the 1st Earl of Pembroke by his marriage to Isabel de Clare.

1192 – During the campaign of Rhys ap Gruffydd against the Normans, Marshal was one of the Norman leaders who raised the siege of Swansea castle.

1202 – Marshal was made the custodian of Cardigan Castle by King John.

1204 – Marshal captured Cilgerran Castle from Maelgwn ap Rhys.

1207 – 11- During a rift with King John, Marshal was deprived of the castle of Cardigan.

1212 – Marshal fought with John in the war against Llywelyn ap Iorwerth.

1213 – Back in Royal favour, he was restored to the castles of Haverfordwest, Cardigan, Carmarthen and Gower and became King John’s representative in South Wales and commander of the Marcher barons’ struggle with Llywelyn ap Iorwerth.

1218 – When hostilities ended with the Peace of Worcester, Llywelyn ap Iorwerth was given custody of the castles of Cardigan and Carmarthen, but Marshal retained Caerleon which he had taken from Morgan ap Hywel in 1217.