Books On Board

William Marshal Books in Order

  • 6 Books
  • 2005 – 2018 Published

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Reading order
1 of 1 reading orders shown

The Recommended Reading Order

For the best narrative experience, readers generally prefer the chronological order. This sequence allows you to trace the Marshal legacy from its roots in the anarchy of King Stephen's reign all the way to the Holy Land pilgrimages and the lives of William's children.

Chronological Reading Order

  1. A Place Beyond Courage (2007) – Set during the Civil War between King Stephen and Empress Matilda, this prequel centers on William’s father, John Marshal.
  2. The Greatest Knight (2005) – The core of the series, introducing a young William Marshal as he serves Eleanor of Aquitaine and tutors her rebellious sons.
  3. The Scarlet Lion (2006) – Continuing William’s story as he navigates the volatile reign of King John, balancing his loyalty to the crown with his family commitments.
  4. The Time of Singing (2008) – (Also published in the US as For the King's Favor). A companion novel focusing on Ida de Tosney and Roger Bigod, whose lives intersect closely with the Marshal household.
  5. To Defy a King (2010) – Focuses on William’s daughter, Mahelt Marshal, as she navigates political pressure and a marriage to Hugh Bigod during the struggle for the Magna Carta.
  6. Templar Silks (2018) – Framed by William on his deathbed in 1219, this book flashes back to his undocumented years on pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the early 1180s.

Publication Order

If you prefer to read the books in the order Elizabeth Chadwick wrote and published them, follow this sequence:

  1. The Greatest Knight (2005)
  2. The Scarlet Lion (2006)
  3. A Place Beyond Courage (2007)
  4. For the King's Favor / The Time of Singing (2008)
  5. To Defy a King (2010)
  6. Templar Silks (2018)

Understanding the Series Structure

While the six books are often packaged together as a single series, they are actually composed of a core biography, a prequel, a late-career insertion, and two companion novels focusing on the Bigod family. Understanding these distinctions helps readers set their expectations for each book.

The Core William Marshal Duology

At the center of the saga are The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion. These two novels follow William Marshal’s biography step-by-step, taking him from a penniless landless knight to one of the most powerful and respected figures in England, eventually serving as the Regent of the Realm for the boy king Henry III.

The Bigod Companions

Both The Time of Singing and To Defy a King are frequently referred to by historical fiction enthusiasts as the Bigod novels. They are integral to the Marshal reading order because Roger Bigod’s family and William Marshal’s family were intimately linked in history. Mahelt Marshal's story in To Defy a King acts as a direct bridge, highlighting the next generation of the dynasty and showing how the consequences of William's choices impacted his children.

The Templar Silks Flashback

Published in 2018, Templar Silks is a unique entry. It fills in a historical gap from the mid-1180s when William Marshal went to the Holy Land to fulfill a deathbed promise to Henry the Young King. Because it uses a frame narrative of William reflecting on his deathbed, it can be read either last (fitting the publication and overall structural flow) or right after The Greatest Knight to complete his early adventures.

Practical Reading Guidance

Where to Start: If you want a direct, concentrated story about William Marshal himself, start with The Greatest Knight. It remains the strongest hook for the series. If you appreciate sprawling dynastic histories and want to see the rise of the family fortunes from the very beginning, start with the prequel, A Place Beyond Courage.

Standalone Readability: Most of these novels are written to stand on their own. Elizabeth Chadwick’s meticulous attention to historical detail allows readers to pick up individual books without being completely lost. However, reading The Greatest Knight immediately before The Scarlet Lion is highly recommended, as the latter directly continues the emotional and political threads of William's marriage and his relationship with the Plantagenets.

Frequently Asked

Can I read Templar Silks out of order?

Yes. Although published last, Templar Silks focuses on a specific period in William's early career (his pilgrimage to Jerusalem). You can read it immediately after The Greatest Knight, or save it for last as a nostalgic reflection on his life.

What is the difference between The Time of Singing and For the King's Favor?

They are the exact same book. The Time of Singing is the original UK title, while For the King's Favor was used for the US publication of the novel.

Are the Bigod novels essential to the William Marshal story?

While they are companion novels rather than direct sequels, they are highly recommended. To Defy a King stars William's daughter Mahelt, making it a natural extension of the family saga and the legacy William built.

Do I need to read A Place Beyond Courage first?

No. While it is chronologically first, it functions as a prequel focusing on William's father, John. If you want to jump straight into the story of the "Greatest Knight" himself, you can safely start with The Greatest Knight.

Is the William Marshal series historically accurate?

Yes. Elizabeth Chadwick is highly regarded for her meticulous research. She draws directly from contemporary medieval sources, including the historical biography L'Histoire de Guillaume le Marechal, keeping fictional fabrications to a minimum.