About the Author

Thomas Asbridge is Reader in Medieval History at Queen Mary, University of London, and the author of 'The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, the Power Behind Five English Thrones' (2014), 'The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land' (2010) and 'The First Crusade: A New History' (2004). He studied for a BA in Ancient and Medieval History at Cardiff University, and then gained his PhD in Medieval History at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Thomas wrote and presented a BBC documentary, 'The Greatest Knight: William Marshal', and a landmark three-part documentary series 'The Crusades' for the BBC, filmed on location across the Near East and Europe. He has also appeared in many other internationally broadcast television documentaries and radio programs, and has worked as a historical consultant for HBO and Company Pictures. He now lives in southern England.

Reviews

"Asbridge has fashioned a rare and fascinating tale: a biography of a medieval knight told with all the rich detail, dialogue, and action that is usually possible only for figures from later periods. Asbridge is a wonderful guide to the complex politics and history of medieval England." - Christian Science Monitor
"The term 'medieval biography' doesn't necessarily conjure up a lot of excitement among the general book-loving population. But . . . it really should. This blood, guts, gore and gallantry romp through medieval history, following the great knight William Marshall . . . is way more fun than it should be." - New York Post
"Big, readable, and enlightening... a rousing history." - The Dispatch
"Captivatingly written and eye-openingly informative, The Greatest Knight is ... a first-rate history told by a master of the craft. Read this book, and you'll never forget the name William Marshal-nor will you ever think of the Middle Ages in the same way again."- - Toby Lester, author of The Fourth Part of the World and Da Vinci's Ghost
"Captivatingly written and eye-openingly informative, The Greatest Knight is ... a first-rate history told by a master of the craft. Read this book, and you'll never forget the name William Marshal-nor will you ever think of the Middle Ages in the same way again."- - Toby Lester, author of The Fourth Part of the World and Da Vinci's Ghost
"History doesn't come more exciting than this. Thomas Asbridge has written a page turner about William Marshal, the Zelig of English history, a man who was indispensable to five kings, and had a hand in practically every important event during those turbulent and eventful reigns."- - Danny Danziger, author of 1215
"A rare kind of history book: one that knows how to speak to a lay reader. There are enough epic journeys here to satisfy Tolkien lovers, enough backhanded politics to engage fans looking for the next Game of Thrones book, and enough excitement for any reader to believe that true history is the greatest story of all." - Portland Book Review
"A rare kind of history book ... There are enough epic journeys here to satisfy Tolkien lovers, enough backhanded politics to engage fans looking for the next Game of Thrones book, and enough excitement for any reader to believe that true history is the greatest story of all." - Portland Book Review
"England's greatest knight puts 'Game of Thrones' to shame... A riveting new biography... Asbridge takes the reader through an eye-opening account... His account is an entertaining reminder that sometimes, the truth really is better than fiction." - Daily Beast
"A valuable biography of an important figure in a distant, violent, barely comprehensible era." - Kirkus Reviews
"The Greatest Knight gives us a moving portrait of one man's struggle, ascent and final (peaceful) demise." - The Sunday Times (UK)
"Mr. Asbridge has written a rip-roaring new life of Marshal, which will leave readers hungry... a generally splendid account of a great medieval life." - Wall Street Journal
"A rich and elaborate tapestry... a story about how medieval knighthood worked; the interlocking web of obligation and fealty, friendship and loyalty... [The Greatest Knight] will appeal to history buffs as well as fans of fiction set in the medieval period." - Library Journal, starred review
"This is medieval history at its very best - a compelling story told by a historian whose knowledge is both thorough and extensive, and whose enthusiasm for the subject rings out on every page." - Ian Mortimer, author of Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England