1
of
1
The Greatest Knight
The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, the Power behind Five English Thrones
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 4,678 ratings, 611 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
Unit price
/
Unavailable
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Greatest Knight
$2799
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Latest News
The Book Briefing: 2nd October
Get stuck in with all the latest from the literary world including book announcements, controversies...
The Book Hero Team's September Reads
September was an especially busy month for the Book Hero team as we did the...
Come Celebrate New Zealand Bookshop Day with Us!
Next Saturday, New Zealand celebrates Bookshop Day - a day to celebrate the special place...
Rating All Our Julia Donaldson Picture Books
With Gruffalo Granny coming out recently I couldn't not do a post celebrating the collection...
New Releases to add to your TBR this week (29th September)
From celebrity memoirs to a brand new follow up to The Whale Rider, here is...
See moreThe remarkable life of William Marshal, the forgotten power behind five English thrones, by internationally renowned expert on the history of the Crusades, Thomas Asbridge.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
The Greatest Knight by Thomas Asbridge is an engaging biography that takes readers on a riveting journey through the life of one of medieval England's most illustrious knights, William Marshal. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, this narrative explores the meteoric rise of a man born into the minor nobility who ascended to the highest echelons of power, ultimately becoming the regent of the English realm.
William Marshal's life was nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days as an apprentice knight to his ultimate role as a trusted advisor and warrior for five English monarchs, William served some of the most influential figures of his time, including Richard the Lionheart and King John. Not merely a man of war, Marshal was instrumental in negotiating the terms of the Magna Carta, forever cementing his place in history. His life is a testament to the virtues of honour, loyalty, and chivalry, all while navigating the treacherous political landscape of medieval Europe.
Drawing upon a wealth of contemporary evidence, renowned historian Thomas Asbridge provides an authoritative and dramatic account that breathes life into this often-overlooked historical figure. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Asbridge paints a compelling portrait of William Marshal, detailing the brutal realities of medieval warfare and the inner workings of the royal court.
Asbridge does not merely recount historical events; he immerses readers in a period when the Western world was emerging from the Dark Ages and standing on the brink of modernity. The tale of William Marshal is not just a biography but a window into the formative years of England, offering insights into the social, political, and military fabric of the time. The narrative is both educational and deeply engaging, appealing to history buffs and general readers alike.
‘A rip-roaring new life of Marshal … [a] splendid account of a great medieval life' – Dan Jones, author of Crusaders
‘A thoroughly entertaining account of England’s most colourful and courageous medieval knight’ – Sunday Times
‘Skilfully done...a powerful cast of characters that fascinates still’ – TLS
‘The medieval world...at last comes touchingly to life’ – Spectator
The Greatest Knight is more than just a biography; it is a gripping tale of chivalry, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of honour. A must-read for anyone interested in the medieval period and the individuals who shaped the course of English history.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Greatest Knight by Thomas Asbridge is widely praised for its in-depth research and engaging narrative. Reviewers commend Asbridge's ability to bring William Marshal's life and the medieval period vividly to life, making complex historical events accessible and compelling for readers. Critics highlight the book's balanced mix of scholarly detail and readability, providing both entertainment and insight into one of history's most fascinating knights.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781471196447
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 02 September 2021
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Edition: Reissue
Illustration: 2 x 8pp colour plates
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 464
About the Author
Thomas Asbridge is a Reader in Medieval History at Queen Mary University in London, and an internationally renowned expert on the history of the Crusades. He has written and presented a major BBC TV series on the Crusades and a documentary on William Marshal. His acclaimed titles The First Crusade and The Crusades are also available from Simon & Schuster.
Also by Thomas Asbridge
View all-
The Crusades
The Crusades by Thomas Asbridge offers a captivating and meticulously researched exploration of one of history's most enigmatic and tumultuous periods. Spanning from the late eleventh century to the late thirteenth century, this comprehensive account delves into the bitter and often brutal conflicts that arose as Christian and Muslim armies clashed over control of the Holy Land. In the eleventh...Paperback$3299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Crusades
From a renowned historian who writes with "maximum vividness" (The New Yorker) comes the most authoritative, readable single-volume military history of the brutal struggle for the Holy Land. Nine hundred years ago, a vast Christian army, summoned to holy war by the Pope, rampaged through the Muslim world of the eastern Mediterranean, seizing possession of Jerusalem, a city revered by...Paperback$6000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Black Death
Thomas Asbridge's remarkable new book reveals the global impact of humanity's greatest natural disaster, and the terrible human cost of this calamity. In the mid-fourteenth century, a lethal plague struck the medieval world, causing unimaginable suffering and destruction. This terrifying pandemic - the Black Death - was unquestionably one of history's defining episodes, yet a critical feature of its progress...HardbackSold Out
More from History & Military
View all-
Saving Elli
One child. Two years in hiding. Three lives in mortal danger. In Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, near Anne Frank's house, another Jewish girl is hidden. Her name is Elli. Her father has been executed at Mauthausen concentration camp. Her mother is fleeing for her life. Elli is next. To save her, resistance couple Frits and Jo Hakkens must risk everything, concealing her...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Spy and the Traitor
The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre is a spellbinding Cold War thriller that unravels the true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB double agent who risked everything to aid the British in the battle against Soviet oppression. In meticulously researched detail, Macintyre paints a vivid portrait of espionage, double-crossing, and unparalleled bravery, giving readers a riveting glimpse into...Paperback$2100Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Suicidal Empathy
The bestselling author of The Parasitic Mind shows why empathy in politics leads to civilizational collapse. What happens when a society elevates victimhood to a virtue and decides that punishment is cruel? You get the disease Dr. Gad Saad calls suicidal empathy. And the West may be terminally infected. In his new book, Suicidal Empathy, Saad unleashes a blistering critique...Paperback$3099Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseThe Cauldron
How did an elderly cleric overthrow the Shah of Iran and change the world?Why did Bin Laden attack the USA - and why did the USA destroy Saddam?How did Britain and France carve up the Middle East - and why did the Kurds never get their own state? THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE MAKING OF TODAY'S MIDDLE EAST: A SPELLBINDING...Hardback$4999Elsewhere:$6000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Wager
THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER LONGLISTED FOR THE 2023 BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 'The beauty of The Wager unfurls like a great sail... one of the finest nonfiction books I've ever read' Guardian 'The greatest sea story ever told' Spectator 'I cannot think of anyone who would not love this book... It is an extraordinary true story, beautifully...Paperback$2399Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Discipline
Silence is complicity, but how do we confront the cost of speaking up? Sydney, May 2021. Ashraf is an academic whose career and personal life are in freefall. Hannah is a young journalist struggling to honour the voices of her community. When a Year 12 Al-Bayinnah College student is arrested for protesting a university's ties to an Israeli weapons manufacturer,...Paperback$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Golden Menhir
Assurancetourix is entering the legendary Gallic bards' competition to win the golden menhir. But with the Romans keeping a close watch, Asterix and Obelix must protect him at all costs. Their mission? Keep him safe-no matter what... even if it means risking their own ears! First released as a book-disc in 1967, this adventure soon became a rare treasure, long...Hardback$2999Elsewhere:$3499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Man's Search For Meaning
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is a profound, thought-provoking memoir and psychological exploration that delves into the harrowing experiences of life in Nazi concentration camps, intertwined with the author’s groundbreaking theories on existential psychology. The book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a beacon of hope and a roadmap for finding purpose...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2100Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Keep Calm – We Are Coming
Keep Calm — We Are Coming briefly backgrounds the New Zealand Special Air Service deployment in Afghanistan — then goes into action. While primarily training Afghan forces, in Kabul the NZSAS had to respond to a series of ‘spectacular attacks’ by heavily armed Taliban fighters wearing suicide vests and determined to inflict major casualties. In the words of those who...Paperback$4000Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Shattered Lands
'A sparkling debut by an outstanding young historian' – PETER FRANKOPAN 'This book is a revelation … both original and important' – MISHAL HUSAIN A history of modern South Asia told through five partitions that reshaped it. As recently as 1928, a vast swathe of Asia – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, Yemen, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and...Paperback$3699Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New Release
Biological War
There is an invisible weapon among us. By the time you know you are a victim, it has turned you into a killer. A blistering new non-fiction thriller from the Baillie Gifford shortlisted author of Nuclear War (200,000 copies sold). A lab accident, a bio-attack, a global pandemic, and the collapse of human society. In this essential new book, based...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Salt
Homer called it a divine substance. Plato described it as especially dear to the gods. As Mark Kurlansky so brilliantly relates here, salt has shaped civilisation from the beginning, and its story is a glittering, often surprising part of the history of mankind. Wars have been fought over salt and, while salt taxes secured empires across Europe and Asia, they...Paperback$3500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
History & Military lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!
