@@HyPnOsS1933 Good chance there was but they'd likely be part of a Frankish or Flemish group. More likely they'd be involved with the Northern Crusades. Digging in Danish history I noticed the Fries/Dutch cooperated a lot with the Danes on trade and military. Since the Danes liked to start fights or get involved in a war there was plenty of opportunities to work together. This relationship went on for centuries although they had a couple relatively small "family" fights between them. A lot depended on who was in charge, like every other group in the world.
@@carloscastanheiro2933 As far as I'm aware William Marchal did not murder women and children. He was also considered the greatest knight by all his peers in England and internationally.
I remember a story about William Marshal where at the end of a tourney he disappeared. He was found in the blacksmiths with his head on the anvil while the blacksmith was hammering away at the helmet trying to reshape it such that he could get his head out of the badly misshapen helmet, absolutely nuts.
El Cid's death was very metal too... after death he was tied to his horse and the enemies were blown away because thwy were sure he had been struck with a mortal blow... but there he was "leading" the army
As Portuguese, i have to mention Nuno Álvares Pereira, our Holy Knight and Protector of the Portuguese Realm( XIV Century). The battle of Aljubarrota os just an example of this Formidable Knight. But all of the chosen ones are excelent choices. Congratulations and keep up the good work!
The great Nuno Álvares Pereira! D. Afonso Henriques was great, Gondomar who was one of the first Templars, D. Sebastião, described as being better than El Cid, Portugal has so many beyond amazing, glorious, and devoted Knights. Portugal was special.
Thank you for writing about Nuno Álvares Pereira. I didn't know this interesting historical figure. Unfortunately, I know little about the history of Portugal, although I like Portuguese wine very much... You encouraged me to learn more. As I see Nuno Álvares Pereira is not only a hero of Portugal, but also a saint of the Catholic Church as a example for those who fight not to forget compassion and just peace. I'm curious that he lived at the same time as the most popular Polish knight Zawisza Czarny (I'm writing from Poland) The turn of the 14th and 15th centuries was probably the best time of European knighthood. Zawisza was a participant and winner of many tournaments (in Perpignan he defeated the champion from Aragon). He took part in one of the greatest battles of the Middle Ages at Grunwald (1410), where Poles and Lithuanians broke the power of Teutonic Knights. As a diplomat he distinguished himself in the Council of Constance, when he defended the Kingdom of Poland against the Teutonic slander. He was one of the few who defended Jan Hus there, but later he fought against the Hussites. Zawisza died at the hands of the Ottoman Janissaries, protecting the retreat of King Sigismund of Luxembourg in the Battle of Golubac(present-day Serbia) in 1428
Many say we need men like them today, forgetting they left a legacy to be just like them for our generation. Truly I loved this video! Keep up the good work!
Learning about the knights who traveled to the Holy Land is all the more interesting since I went on pilgrimage there last month. I really enjoy this channel.
in RAHAN comics, his 5 sabertooths collar represented: Courage, Loyalty, Generosity, Tenacity, Wisdom; he added one named Curiosity, after he had a kid.
Hey man, I just came across your channel. I'm all in brother. I love History and Documentaries. I love to learn about all of the History we weren't ever taught. I am the guy with a thirst for knowledge. Probably the best part about the internet is being able to learn about anything with a click. Anyway love the content keep it up
Thank you for the note at the end. When you got to #1 and names like Charles Martel, Charlemagne, Barbarossa, and Richard the Lionheart were absent, I figured there must have been a royal exception to the rule.
Noble spanish subjects: Fernando de Castro, Rodrigo Ximénez de Rada, Pero Niño, Álvar Fáñez, Fernando Alfonso de Valencia, García Ordóñez (he also deserves this place), infante Pedro de Castilla (died at the battle of Sierra Elvira)... and many more.
Loved your list as all these badasses indeed enjoyed a great reputation as knights but damn...... if historical videos like these aren't a testament that the French lost the cultural war....... lol. I thought it was well documented (medieval chronicles all over Europe, in Turkey of all places included) that the french knight was the posterboy of the medieval knight. Despite being renowned for their excessive pride and stubbornness, french knights and the french heavy cavalry were generally viewed as the greatest in medieval Europe by their contemporaries. - Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard who throughout the centuries since his death has been known as "the knight without fear and beyond reproach". Considered the greatest french knight ever and one of if not the greatest to have ever lived. He is also rated by military historians as one of the greatest cavalry leaders of all time. As a knight, that dude is in his own league. - Geoffroi de Charny (the guy who literally wrote the "Book of Chivalry") was considered one of the greatest knights of his era - Hugues de Payens (first Grand Master of the Knights Templar) was considered the greatest knight of his age - Bertrand du Guesclin (who is generally compared to William Marshal by historians) was considered one of the greatest knights of his era.
Really good comments, my friend. The truth is, my list is very much subjective, and many valid versions of this list could be created. These are some of my favorite knights, but I would love to see more people create their own videos discussing their favorites. Truthfully, I thought about including Hugh of Payens, but I've already made so many videos about him I thought I should pick some knights I'd not covered much in the past.
I would vote for King St. Ferdinand III of Spain to be among the top ten, if not the top five.He was able to take back a good chunk of Spain. Truly a great man.
What about Bertrand du Guesclin & Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard known as "the knight without fear and beyond reproach" (le chevalier sans peur et sans reproche).
Hugues de Payens as the first Grandmaster of the Knights Templar should be in the top 5 as much for founding the Order as he was a brilliant and shrewd tactician. It was the most influential military order of the medieval period for 200 years and changed the face of Europe and Middle East.
you have to put on that list Dom Nuno Allvares Pereira do some research about him and the batles he won for Portugal against Spain with an army much smaller 6.000 against 30.000 Batle of Aljubarrota and before that was like 3.000 to 10.000 even today the the Portuguese military motu is" de sermos tao poucos nada tememos" because we are so few dont fear nothing.
Late 1200s to early 1300s It’d be cool to see a video on The Good Sir James - James Douglas - The Black Douglas. The English were terrified of the Scottish Knight! Pretty good use of psychological warfare.
There are Many Here lamenting that We NEED These Men TODAY; They Are HERE, They're ALL around You; Take a "Closer LOOK" at MEN of your Town, your Neighbor; Those that WERE or STILL Are; Members of your Nations "Special Forces ... Green Beret, Navy Seals, Force Recon, Delta Force, Para Rescue, SWAT; These ARE Your KNIGHTS Of Honor, Loyalty, Duty, GOD & Country; They ARE of the Same Caliber, Spirit & Dedication ... "Semper Fi" … NUFF Said ... “🍺 Dilly Dilly”❗
I have to admit - I was going to complain about Jean de Brienne not getting and honourable mention. However you said no kings, which is actually a very prudent stipulation. Hat tip to the author.
Recently I’ve been trying to find information on a group of 13th and 14th century knights called Symonds Hide. I believe it was founded by Lord Adam Fitz Symonds (1260-1300). I was wondering if you could do a video on them?
The extent of William Marshal on the history of the English-speaking people is amazing. I am fortunate to have his blood in my veins as a direct descendent of his. Thank you for this tribute!
I clicked this video in my recommend because I liked the title, then I heard the voice of the narrator, and realized what channel I was watching and knew it was gonna be a good video, so I instantly liked it, before even watching
Lord Scribe. A fantastic video. I was curious, where did you get that picture of Ida of Lorraine. It is stunning, and would make fine inspiration for my own works. Good day sir. oh, and nice choice with El Cid, and Godfrey in the top positions outstanding Knights.
I'm very disappointed to see that Geoffroi de Charny was not included here. He wrote an actual knight's book of chivalry-why wouldn't that have been enough to put him on this list?
Alot of great houses started as Knights. If you get recognized in a major battle, esp by the king or his immediate family, it could turn your life around quick. Granted title n lands. Then you marry someone a little higher then you as far as status. Your sons do the same, n by 3 to 5 generations you have a well established house. N the bonds they created by having some sons going to other great houses as kids to learn how to be a knight n warfare. N if by that you were childhood friends with a cousin or little brother of a royal family n then they become king, they bring you along for the ride. So fascinating
William Marshal is #1 for me. His life would make a good television series. He was accused of bedding the Young King Henry's queen, and offered to prove his innocence in trial by combat against 3 other knights. He was only asked to serve Richard the Lionheart after sparing Richard's life who was in open rebellion against his father, whom William served. He always chose his allegiance on the path of honor and chivalry. I would like to see his life depicted.
I like Marshal too, but honestly I don't believe his story about unhorsing Richard. William definitely tended to recall the past with himself in the most flattering possible light.
1:32 You read - "The next year Edward encountered a French army...". But it wasn't the next year. Crecy and Poitiers were fought 10 years apart (as correctly indicated by the onscreen text).
I was expecting Bertrand du Guesclin as number one. As he was never a Prince or King, but worked his way up in a very similar way to the William the Marshall.
Where is Alvaro Vaz de Coutinho who fought and won the London tournament fighting for king Richard II and also fighting and winning the indepence of Burgundy from the king of France? He was the CR7 of medieval age, known as The Magriço. His castle was in Penedono, still an amazing castle nowadays.
The greates knight of all times according to me is the norman Robert Guiscard. He conquered southern Italy for the normans and in so doing defeated both Bysantium and the arabs of Sicily.
Even though (I don’t think) Kingdom of Heaven was financially successful, i feel like they should’ve made a sequel with Orlando Bloom continuing the story of Balian and bringing in a huge star to portray Richard the Lionheart who I’m sure even the very general public is familiar with. That potential sequel could’ve been big lol
Where is Ettore Fieramosca? The italian knight who gave a lesson to the french knights beating them in a duel near the italian city of Barletta? Here in Italy he is remembered as a true italian hero
A minor and personal preference (though not sure if he was knighted) is Fernando de Castro, a galician nobleman which was later called 'All the loyalty of Spain'.
William Marshal is probably the greatest knight. Hell, he even defeated Richard the Lionheart himself in single combat, and also basically saved England by leading the charge against would-be usurpers at the age of 70. It's hard to believe he was human.
Yes, especially when you read the book written by his heirs to glorify him. William was great, but a lot of the info we have on him comes directly form his own house and is heavily biased in his favor. Much of that info can't be confirmed in other sources. For example, his story about defeating Richard I in England. I tend to doubt the veracity of that story. At the very least, it's highly exaggerated.
Make it 6 and put in Charles Martel, "The Hammer" According to a near-contemporary source, the , Charles was "a warrior who was uncommonly [...] effective in battle" Martel defeated an Umayyad invasion of Aquitaine at the Battle of Tours at the time the Umayyad Caliphate controlled most of the Iberian Peninsula. Alongside his military endeavours, Charles has been traditionally credited with a seminal role in the development of the Frankish system of feudalism. Charles' grandson, Charlemagne, extended the Frankish realms, and became the first emperor in the West since the fall of Rome.
I agree on his prowess. Only I reason I didn't include him is because he comes so early it's hard to justify him as a knight. The 8th century seems like an age before the age of knights.
@@RealCrusadesHistory You have a great video. And Martel is underrated as a knight for exactly the reasons you gave - he's from the early misty dawn of knighthood, and much of the detail of his life has been lost to history. By power of arms, Martel was one of the quintessential first knights, who rose on the battlefield and by prowess and acclaim of arms, piety and chivalry, became nobility and "The Hammer", and by action defined early knighthood. By power of law, as Duke he established the Frankish/French feudal system. El Cid, one of your choices of great knights, became a knight under Martel's system. Charlemagne, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, inherited leadership of the Frankish/French feudal system as Martel's grandson. "If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck." Seems like The Hammer has gamed lot's of knight points... he just needs a little modern attention and love.
Good picks, though I would've had Robert Guiscard (or his older brother William and his younger brother Roger) in there, perhaps instead of the black prince. With my personal top 5 I can never seem to rank them so when input them down I have no particular order for them as they all accomplished quite alot under different circumstances and contexts and as such any judging criteria is difficult to determine. At least for me anyways.
Great choices, but where are : Stefan Lazarević, Lazar Hrebeljanović Miloš Obilić Pierre Bayard de Terrail Jeanne D'Arc Tornike the Georgian Vlad Tepes George Kastriot, etc. We only see English/ somewhat French and some Spanish
You say Richard I would have been no 1 if kings had been included, on what basis do you rate greatness? Richard was a traitor, antagonised his allies on crusade and was a pretty inept king. In addition William Marshall faced him in battle and killed Richards Horse, when he could have just as easily killed Richard because he was too honorable to kill a son of his king. Not much doubt in my mind which of the two was the greatest.
The story about William unhorsing Richard comes from William and nowhere else. It's a tall tale, most likely, but ultimately unconfirmed self-aggrandizement from an old man dictating to his squire. On the other hand, Richard's greatness is attested by his enemies. Richard didn't antagonize his allies on crusade, but he did have to deal with traitors like Philip II and Leopold of Austria, who were far lesser men than he and self-focused cowards at best. The truly honorable men of the crusade - the Templars, the Hospitallers, James of Avesnes, Henri of Champagne, Geoffrey of Lusignan, Humphrey of Toron and the rank and file men all respected Richard deeply. Richard inspired undying loyalty in his men, and he stood shoulder to shoulder with them in battle, unlike Philip II (a coward). He was an undeniably great man and a great king, and anyone who doubts this is simply ignorant of the facts. Read John Gillingham's biography, Richard the Lionheart. Better yet, read Saladin's chronicler Ibn Shaddad's The Rare and Excellent History of Saladin. Some of the most striking evidence of Richard's greatness comes from Saracen chroniclers.
@@RealCrusadesHistory A great man who spent almost no time in his kingdom, a great man who said he'd sell England if he could to raise money to go on crusade, and I think you will find that the story of his being unhorsed by Marshall is not just the ramblings of a man who was revered by the King of France and virtually all his contemporaries but truth. By the way as I have not insulted you I don't expect to be called ignorant.
He wasn't just king of England, he ruled most of France as well, and he ruled all of his empire VERY WELL - fact, period. This is historically documented and is only denied by those who don't know what they're talking about. His comment on selling England was a joke. Of course he wasn't going to sell England. Richard was a great man who refused to let his men take risks that he would not also personally take. He protected the lives of his men and led them to victory after victory. I'm not insulting you, I'm simply saying that you're ignorant on this subject and that's why you hold incorrect opinions here.
@@slightlyconfused876 Leading by example, Richard was in the heart of the fighting, as the Itinerarium describes: "There the king, the fierce, the extraordinary king, cut down the Turks in every direction, and none could escape the force of his arm, for wherever he turned, brandishing his sword, he carved a wide path for himself: and as he advanced and gave repeated strokes with his sword, cutting them down like a reaper with his sickle, the rest, warned by the sight of the dying, gave him more ample space, for the corpses of the dead Turks which lay on the face of the earth extended over half a mile.
@@slightlyconfused876 Still in his sailor's deck shoes, Richard leaped into the sea and waded through the waves to reach the beach. The King again showed his personal bravery and martial prowess, leading fifty-four knights, a few hundred infantrymen, and about 2,000 Genoese and Pisan crossbowmen into battle.[9][10] The Muslim army began to panic at the sudden offensive launched by Richard's newly arrived force; they feared it was just the advanced element of a much larger army coming to relieve Jaffa. The English king fought in person at the forefront of his attack, and Saladin's men were routed. Many of the Christian prisoners who had surrendered earlier also seized their arms and resumed combat, for their captors were in such disarray that they were unable to stop them. Saladin's fleeing army spilled out of Jaffa and escaped in a disorderly manner; Saladin was unable to regroup his forces until they had retreated more than five miles inland.
A good list,only problem I have is with the Black Prince - if nobility was a criteria,he failed,he was essentially a butcher.Besides,most of his victories could be credited with his superb lieutenant,John of Gaunt. You could also argue a case for Henry V - victor at Agincourt,and Bertrand de Gesculin,who was arguably the most famous knight of the age.
An interesting selection. Anyway, it is surprising not to find Heinrich Von Plauen among the five best knights. His impact was devastating in eastern European history. En tant qu'expert en histoire médiévale, je trouve que votre sélection pourrait être améliorée.
