In the Time of Knights: The Real-Life Story of History's Greatest Knight

Lisa Arsenault is an elementary-school teacher in Ajax, Ontario.

Medieval times and particularly knights have long fascinated modern
readers. This addition to the genre uses the life of a historical
figure, William Marshall, to illustrate the lifestyle of a 12th-century
knight. Customs, ideals, and mores prior to, and following, Marshall’s
lifetime are described in sidebars and inserts as subtexts to his
biography.

The story begins with Marshall’s capture for ransom as a child. He
learns early the harsh realities of life: his father refuses to pay his
ransom because he is only a younger son. Eventually, he is taken into
service by his cousin and earns a knighthood.

Through Marshall’s experiences the reader learns about the various
aspects of knighthood—education, arms, armor, tournaments, the arts of
battle, values and ideals, the rules of service, and so forth. Related
topics of interest, such as the Crusades, King Arthur, and troubadours,
are also addressed. The technique of using the life of a real person
makes the historical data come alive. Humorous anecdotes leaven the
gritty, warts-and-all descriptions of medieval life and times,
particularly warfare. The author does not sugarcoat the brutality, and
Marshall himself is not extolled for his knightly virtues to the
exclusion of his less-savory attributes, which include vanity, gluttony,
and lack of intellect. The essence of the period is captured in
descriptions of the sights, sounds, and smells encountered by the
knights both at home and on the road. Photographs of medieval art,
illustrations, and maps richly embellish the text. Highly recommended.