May 14 1219 A.D. – Caversham – The Death Scene

The bedchamber in the manor house at Caversham was cold, even in the middle of May. The windows and doors had been flung wide open to let as much air as possible into the room. William Marshal had been very unwell for many weeks, since March in fact. He had lost a lot of weight and for the last days had been able to eat nothing, but bread stuffed mushrooms.

That morning he was lying, dozing quietly in bed when suddenly his eyes snapped open. He shouted out as loudly as he could, given that his voice had been greatly weakened.

“Do you not see them! The two men in white. Do they come to take me?”

The two knights who were in attendance jumped up. Did William mean them? John of Early who was standing disconsolately by the open window moved quickly across to the bed.

“Be still my Lord. It is nothing but a dream you are having.”

But William was deaf to his words. He was staring intently at the two men he could see standing up on either side of the foot of his bed. One was tall, dressed in a long white robe, long brown hair framing his face. His face lit up by a welcoming smile. The other was dressed as a Templar knight and his scarred face was impassive. The man in the robe began to speak. As he listened intently, a contented smile crept gradually across the Earl of Pembroke’s face. Eventually he closed his eyes, and folded his bony hands across his chest. He sighed gently.

“I am ready.”

His wife, Isabel and his daughters were sent for and bade farewell to the great Earl in his bedchamber.

The next day, in a crowded chamber, with a cross placed over his face, held tightly in his son’s arms and with the trusted John of Early at his side, William Marshal died. He was buried in London. His tomb is in the Templar Church.