John (The Marshal) Fitzgilbert

• General Notes
  • # Note: Rose to power when Matilda invaded England to depose King Stephen.
    
    # Note: Switched sides from Stephen to Matilda.
    
    # Note: His father was made the Marshal of King Henry Ist's horses.
    
    # Note: Initially "marshal" was a title. The family subsequently took it as a surname.
    
    # Note:
    
        His son William was about 6 or 8 years old when the following story began to unfold. When Stephen found out that John switched allegiance to Matilda, he sought him out at Newbury Castle in 1152. Stephen granted a truce to John while he confered with Matilda. As security, Stephen requested one of John's sons. John surrendered his youngest son William. When John used the respite to provision and garrison the castle, Stephen threatened to hang little William unless John surrendered.
    
    # Note:
    
        John defied him sending word that he, "had the anvils and hammers with which to forge still finer sons." The boy was led out to be hanged, but his innocent confidence so touched the king's heart that he picked him up and carried him back to camp. Later someone suggested that they catapult William over the castle wall, but Stephen forbade it saying, "William will never be harmed by me."
    
    # Note:
    
        The civil war ended in 1153 and after spending two months as prisoner, was returned to his parents. Stephen made a treaty with Matilda that ensured his reign as ruler for the rest of his life. Stephen died the following year and was succeeded by Henry II, son of Matilda.