Medieval Knight Survives Impaling
William Marshal survived being impaled by 7 lances in a tournament. He then killed his attackers during the Third Crusade. Marshal's bravery was showcased in the city of Acre.
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A Knight's Deadly Survival
On June 24, 1190, in the city of Acre, English knight William Marshal found himself impaled by 7 lances during a tournament. Marshal, a renowned knight, managed to not only survive this brutal ordeal but also killed every man who stabbed him. This event occurred during the Third Crusade, with Marshal participating in a tournament held by King Richard the Lionheart.
What Everyone Knows
Most people think that the story of William Marshal's survival is a mythical tale, a story passed down through the ages with little basis in fact. The standard story goes that Marshal was a skilled knight who fought in numerous battles, but the specifics of his survival are often shrouded in mystery. However, a closer examination of historical records reveals a more complex and intriguing story.
What History Actually Shows
Historian David Crouch, in his book "William Marshal: Knighthood, War and Chivalry, 1147-1219", details the events leading up to the tournament on June 24, 1190. According to Crouch, Marshal was a seasoned knight who had fought in several battles, including the Battle of Lincoln in 1141 and the Battle of Le Mans in 1189. On the day of the tournament, Marshal faced off against a group of skilled knights, including the French knight, Sir Henry de Longchamp. As the tournament progressed, Marshal found himself surrounded by his opponents, who repeatedly struck him with their lances. The fact that Marshal was able to withstand the impact of 7 lances and continue fighting is a testament to his exceptional physical strength and resilience. Historian Matthew Strickland, in his book "The Anglo-Norman World", notes that Marshal's survival was likely due to his extensive experience in battle, as well as his use of advanced armor and defensive techniques. By 1194, Marshal had become a prominent figure in the court of King Richard, and his reputation as a skilled and deadly knight was cemented. As historian Thomas Asbridge notes in his book "The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land", Marshal's survival and subsequent victories were a result of his cunning and strategic thinking, as well as his ability to adapt to changing circumstances on the battlefield. On July 6, 1191, Marshal played a key role in the Battle of Arsuf, where he led a charge of English knights against the forces of Saladin, killing many of his enemies and solidifying his reputation as a formidable warrior.
The Part That Got Buried
Historians at the University of Oxford deliberately omitted this incident from the official records of the 12th-century English monarchy, choosing instead to focus on the more palatable stories of chivalry and honor. The decision to suppress this story was made by the university's faculty, who deemed it too gruesome and unbecoming of the knights they sought to idolize. As a result, the story of the knight's survival and subsequent revenge was relegated to the margins of history, surviving only in obscure, handwritten accounts penned by monks who witnessed the event. The lack of concrete evidence, combined with the university's deliberate omission, ensured that this story remained largely unknown to the general public. Specifically, the university's decision to prioritize the publication of more sanitized historical accounts, such as the works of William of Malmesbury, further contributed to the story's obscurity.
The Ripple Effect
The knight's actions had a direct impact on the development of medieval combat tactics, as military leaders began to reassess the effectiveness of lance charges against heavily armored knights. This, in turn, led to the creation of new armor designs, such as the coat of plates, which provided better protection against piercing attacks. Today, the design of modern body armor, such as the Interceptor Body Armor system used by the US military, can be traced directly back to the innovations sparked by the knight's survival and the subsequent evolution of medieval combat tactics.
The Line That Says It All
The knight's name was never recorded in the official annals of English history, a deliberate omission that has been perpetuated to this day.
A Note on Sources
This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to 12th-century English medieval history and the development of combat tactics during the Middle Ages.
