NOVEMBER MEETING

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, 19 November 2025 in Holy Cross Church Hall, Butts Road, SN4 0NN at 7.30pm. The subject is ‘William Marshall - 1st Earl of Pembroke’, presented by Martin Collisson. William Marshall was one of the most powerful figures of the 12th and early 13th Centuries. An Anglo-Norman statesman and soldier, he served five English kings as royal adviser and agent, including acting as regent for Henry III, who was only nine years old at the time of his accession to the throne. William was also a warrior of outstanding prowess, described by a contemporary as ‘the best knight that ever lived’. He even led an army at the age of seventy, during the Second Barons War. It is also said that he was the inspiration for Lancelot in medieval Arthurian tales. William was a younger son, so had no land or title and had to forge his own path. He went on Crusade and helped draft and implement Magna Carta, making his life quite eventful. Join us and hear Martin tell the story.