How did a 13th century knight become one of the greatest national heroes of his time?

In this episode of the English Heritage podcast, Amy Matthews and her guests discover a true knight’s tale. William, a low-level aristocrat, narrowly avoided a violent end as a child and rose to greatness through violent tournaments, warfare and royal service.

But who was the real William Marshal, and can we trust the reverential account of his life that was written after his death?

Medieval historian Lindy Grant and English Heritage’s Jeremy Ashbee help Amy sort the man from the myth and discuss the medieval concept of knighthood and chivalry.

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William Marshal: the man behind the myth