Chris' Fish Place

Disclaimer: ARC read via Netgalley.

                William Marshall is not as well known in the United States as he should be, considering the Constitution’s connection to the Magna Carter.  This is a shame because, if Brooks is correct, Marshall is the reason why this realm England was around.

                Brooks’ book about Marshall is not a biography, at least not in the strictest sense of the world.  It is a close look at the times as well as the military aspects of the Marshall.  The focus is mostly on the fight against France after the death of John I.  Therefore the battle at Lincoln gets a huge portion of the book devoted it to it. 

                This is fine.  It is nice to see that the battle at Lincoln is getting more historical recognition, more than say an aside in Terry Jones’ Medieval Lives.    When not dealing with Lincoln, Brooks details the tournament culture as well as the culture of war at the time.  It isn’t a history of the Plantangents, but a history of the times and the Marshall’s role in them.

                The book includes pictures, several of which capture the climb to Lincoln Castle, and climb really is the only word for it. 

                In terms of accessibility, the book is accessible for anyone with a basic knowledge of the times (in particular the infighting in Henry II’s family).  Brooks presumes you know enough background, and he uses more detailed cases and battles to make and prove his argument.  If you have not read about the Marshall’s times before or even if you have read Elizabeth Chadwick’s books about him (or Crowe’s Robin Hood), you should read a more general history before this book.