General Notes

Note: aka John FitzGilbert, le Mareschal
FATHER OF THE GREAT SIR WILLIAM MARSHALL
MARSHALL OF THE KING'S HOUSEHOLD, EARL OF SALISBURY
At first John served King Stephen, but when events turned t
o Empress Matilda's favor, he switched allegiance to her an
d remained fiercely loyal to her from then on. John was a r
uthless and cunning baron who lost an eye while melting iro
n in the fire. In 1152, King Stephen laid siege to one of h
is castles and held John's son William as hostage for his f
ather's good behavior during a truce. John ignored the truc
e and used the time to re-fortify and supply his castle. Wh
en King Stephen called John to the castle walls and threate
ned to take his son's life in retaliation, John replied tha
t, "he had the anvils and the hammer to forge still bette
r sons." Fortunately, Stephen's kind heart prevailed. As th
e story goes, he saw little five-year-old William playing w
ith a dog and could not bear to take his life. William woul
d grow up to be the greatest and most chivalrous knight i
n all of England, but he inherited nothing from his father
, except the good favor of Empress Matilda's son Henry II
, who remembered John's loyalty to his mother.
WARNING: Some say the parents of John are Gilbert FitzRicha
rd de Clare and Adelaide de Clermont.