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Elizabeth Chadwick | The Role of Marshal
September 7, 2012
A PLACE BEYOND COURAGE
is the story of a Medieval knight, soldier and baron called John FitzGilbert,
who, if you look him up online, had something of a reputation as a hard man of
his times, willing to sacrifice his small son in order to hold onto one of his
castles. I was interested in finding out more about his life, and to discover
what really happened. Did John really say that even if the boy was killed by
the men who held him captive, it didn't matter because he could beget better
sons to replace him? John FitzGilbert was also known as John the Marshal. His second name was his job
description. So what exactly did a marshal do in the Middle Ages – and
specifically the royal marshal, answerable to the king? What were his
responsibilities and duties? The name Marshal derives from Marescallus, which meant ‘Stable hand.' So
essentially the original job had to do with horses. It was the marshal's job to
ensure there was stabling and fodder for the horses in the royal household.
From there, the duty spread out into provision and responsibility for the hounds
in the kennels and the hawks in the mews. It also meant making sure that
harness and tack was kept in good order and available when needed. Men whose
sons were knighted at court were obliged to either pay a fee to the master
marshal or give him a horse or a saddle. During times of war the marshal was
entitled to any pied horses that were captured, and these would go into the pool
of remounts and horses available for use. It was the marshal's task to keep a
tally of how much the king's mercenaries were owed and to see that they were
paid, for which he took a percentage of the money pot. Associated with the constant movement of the court, it was the marshal's job to
provide the pack horses and carts to travel from A to B and to keep everyone in
good order. On the road and more especially at court, the marshal had the duty
of policing the household and maintaining a space around the king known as the
'verge' which the marshal did with his rod of office. Anyone crossing the verge
was likely to receive a swift admonitory blow from the latter. The marshal had
servants called ushers whose job it was to keep the king's doors and make sure
only desirables gained access to the royal presence. In John the Marshal's day,
we know from an existing document that the keepers of the doors were called Ralf
and Gilbert Bonhomme. Other men answering to the Marshal included the watchmen,
the fire stoker, the king's tent–keeper and all the various huntsmen. John the Marshal also had responsibility for supplying and regulating the
prostitutes who frequented the court. He determined who was on the books so to
speak and who wasn't. If there was trouble among the ‘working girls', he was
entitled to exact fines from the transgressors. Beyond the above varied and 'interesting' tasks, the Master Marshal had duties
at the Exchequer which was the Medieval counting and accounting house. During
the reign of Henry II it came to be permanently established at Westminster.
Prior to that the sessions had often been held at Winchester and we are told
that the Marshal sat at the Exchequer when the sheriffs came to pay their dues.
If a sheriff couldn't afford to pay his taxes, then the Marshal had the key to
the debtor's prison and the unfortunate sheriff would be locked up as a
punishment. It is no coincidence that the debtor's gaol in Winchester was only
a short walk from the marshal's house. Of course the royal Marshal delegated much of these tasks out to underlings,
but even so, in the period of A PLACE BEYOND COURAGE, it
was still very much a hands on occupation, sometimes in more ways than one and
it took a special sort of man with an aptitude for multi–tasking, good
social
skills and a cool head in all situations to keep the wheels turning. John
FitzGilbert was that sort of man, and I am so pleased that I have been given the
opportunity in my career to write about him. One commenter (US / Canada addresses only) will win a copy of A PLACE BEYOND
COURAGE
Comments
32 comments posted.
Re: Elizabeth Chadwick | The Role of Marshal
I have read several of Elizabeth's books. It was she who made me fall in
love with William Marshall, John's son. I am so looking forward to reading
A Place Beyond Courage.
(Kristina Hooper 10:48am September 7, 2012)
I love your books Elizabeth...can't wait to read this one!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 11:14am September 7, 2012)
I am a fan.
(Heather Merlino 11:26am September 7, 2012)
I am looking forward to sitting down with your book. It
sounds wonderful.
(Ashley C 11:37am September 7, 2012)
I like stories that take place during the Medieval era and I am sure I will enjoy this one.
(Lori Yost 11:56am September 7, 2012)
Wow..that was a lot of responsibility. I'd be interested to
know if he really said that. If so, did he mean it or was it
simply a ploy. Definitely piqued my interest.
(Ivy Truitt 12:12pm September 7, 2012)
Medievals are my favorite. And I enjoy learning from the stories I read. I've already learned some interesting facts from your post. I've not read you as yet so thanks for the chance!
catslady5(at)aol.com
(Jeanne Sheats 2:50pm September 7, 2012)
It sounds interesting
(Sandy Giden 3:11pm September 7, 2012)
This sounds like a great book. I love reading books from that period of time. In just the post I learned more than I had known before. Sounds like this one would be fasinating.
[email protected]
(Larena Hubble 4:00pm September 7, 2012)
I've heard great things about your books. Thanks for the chance to win!
(Jennifer Langford 4:58pm September 7, 2012)
I haven't read any of your work as yet but this one definitely caught my
attention. I love historics and just reading the above I can tell that a lot of
research went into your writing. I'm looking forward to reading A PLACE BEYOND
COURAGE
(Patricia Gordon 5:01pm September 7, 2012)
Love Medieval reads....enjoy reading your books; and this sounds like a good one also. Thanks, for the great contest!
(Lois Imel 5:10pm September 7, 2012)
Thanks for delving into the history of this man.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 5:19pm September 7, 2012)
You've got my attention! I haven't read one of your books yet; this one sounds really good, and it's obvious you put a lot of time and research into it. Thanks!
(Linda Luinstra 5:40pm September 7, 2012)
this sounds interesting
(Heather Pearson 6:36pm September 7, 2012)
thanks for a great post and congrats on the new release :)
(Erin Fender 6:43pm September 7, 2012)
I'm looking forward to this book, Elizabeth. My father liked also liked your books.
(Robin Greene 6:55pm September 7, 2012)
this book hits really close to my heart as i am going thru the same kind of thing
(Kimberly Hoefs 7:15pm September 7, 2012)
Your books are so interesting; keep on writing and I'll keep reading
(Shirley Younger 7:40pm September 7, 2012)
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the contest.
(Mary Hay 8:06pm September 7, 2012)
Elizabeth is a "new to me" author but A Place Beyond Courage sounds terrific. I look forward to reading it.
(Catherine Lee 8:33pm September 7, 2012)
A new author to me, too; Reading about the historical times is fascinating---I cannot imagine how they survived at all. another book for my TBR list!!!
(Barbara Studer 8:50pm September 7, 2012)
I love historical stories to begin with, and am really getting into the medieval-era stories - I am new to your books so I have a lot of catching up to do!
(Felicia Ciaudelli 9:16pm September 7, 2012)
I really enjoy reading about English history, and I'm so glad that you took the time to not only keep it alive, but that you took the time and effort to find out the facts, and put them in print. I'm really looking forward to reading your book and finding out more. It sounds like a fascinating read, and I know you just scratched the surface!! Congratulations!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:42pm September 7, 2012)
Haven't read any of you're books yet but would love to.
(Leslie Davis 11:11pm September 7, 2012)
Your book sounds great. I look forward to reading it.
(Carol Woodruff 11:35pm September 7, 2012)
Thanks for the chance to win!! Sounds like a really good book!!
(Natasha Donohoo 12:00pm September 8, 2012)
John fitzGilbert is one of my ancestors, and I was always appalled by his apparent lack of concern for the safety of his son. It will be nice to see a different point of view.
(Janie McGaugh 12:34pm September 8, 2012)
What an interesting book...sounds good. Thanks for the chance to win it!
(Kimberley Coover 8:44am September 8, 2012)
Medival scenes and the action of doing your duty with granting wishes and wenches seems like it takes a trip into another realm.
(Alyson Widen 2:17pm September 8, 2012)
Ah....Medievals.....
Elizabeth, I love your books! My heart and soul are in the Medieval era and you sure take me there with your descriptions of the places, people, and times. If I can't actually live when my soul yearns to be living, then I can have the next best thing by delving into the time through authors like you. I cannot wait to add A Place Beyond Courage to my bookshelf. I know that I will not be disappointed with your writing.
(Leah Weller 4:34pm September 8, 2012)
Thank you so much for the interesting tidbit about John Marshall and the meaning of 'marshal'! Love to learn new things as I read! This book sounds wonderful!
(p c 12:11pm September 10, 2012)
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