William Marshal
Below is an interesting piece of information I gathered from www.essential-architecture.com/
"The Temple Church today.
In the mid 12th century, before the construction of the church, the Knights Templar in London had met at a site in High Holborn in a structure originally established by Hughes de Payens. Because of the growth of the order, by the 1160s the site had become too confined, and the order purchased the property of the current site for establishment of a larger compound. In addition to the church, the new compound originally contained residences, military training facilities, and recreational grounds for the military brethren and novices, who were not permitted to go into the city without the permission of the Master of the Temple.
The church building comprises two separate sections. The original nave section, called the Round Church, and an adjoining rectangular section, built approximately half a century later, called the Chancel.
The Round Church
In keeping with the traditions of the order, the nave of the church was constructed on a round design based on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The nave is 55 feet in diameter is surrounded by the first-ever free-standing dark Purbeck marble columns. It is probable that the walls and grotesque heads were originally painted in colours.
It was consecrated on February 10, 1185 in a ceremony by Heraclius, Patriarch of Jerusalem. It is believed that Henry II was present at the consecration.
Marble effigies of medieval knights in the Temple Church.
The Round Church contains the marble effigies of nine medieval knights, the most famous of whom is William Marshal, who is enshrined next to his sons. In January 1215 William served as a negotiator during a meeting in the Temple between King John and the barons, who demanded that John uphold the rights enshrined the Coronation Charter of his predecessor Richard I. William swore on behalf of the king that the grievances of the barons would be addressed in the summer, leading to John's signing of Magna Carta in June. William later became regent during the reign of John's son, Henry III, who later expressed a desire to be buried in the church."
Here's some information from www.williammarshal.com/
The Final Days of William Marshal
He travels eventually to the Tower of London, where he has a favorite room, here he will now convalesce until his death.
His friends and family visit him here regulalry.
At his side until his death were his dearest and oldest friend John D'Erley, William's wife, daughters and eldest son (William the younger).
The days leading up to William's death are recorded in great detail. Conversations, times and events catalogued in British archives.
William would make an order for the poor to be fed with the money made from jewels and gifts that he alone had ownership of. He would leave nothing for his sons save the name and office. Though they stood to inherit much from their mother, William had actually owned little of his own and felt it a better honor that his sons have at life the way he had. And he deeply loved his sons, especially his eldest son William.
On his deathbed, William would also be given a great honor, being inducted into the Templar Knights. But to do this, he would have to release his wife and live out his remaining days as a monk. Loving her husband, Isabel released William from their bond. Though she stayed with him constantly for his long illness, William no longer "sought her out".
It is now Spring.
William's pain is worse. Cancer? Perhaps. His last day describes family, clergy, Templars all at his bed. Oh, and John D'Erley too.
At one point, William cries out, "By my soul, two men in white. They are beside me now. Never have I seen such fine men."
John d'Erley is by his side and responds to him."My lord, thus there comes to you a company that will lead you in the true way."
"Blessed be the Lord our God, Who hitherto has granted me His grace. (With pain) John!"
"I am here for you."
William now tells John, "John, make haste! Open the windows and doors. Call my son and the knights. I am dying. I cannot wait any longer. I must take my leave of them now." William turns in the bed, and with great pain passes out.
William awakes to find all are in the room now, including Aimery de Sainte-Maure and Geoffrey of the Templar Knight order. Geoffrey has brought William's crusader cloak.
"John, did I faint?"
"Yes sire."
"I've never seen you look so helpless. Why haven't you rinsed my face with rose water, so that I may speak properly to these good people? I have not much longer to do so."
John gets the water and as William washes his face, for a moment he seems revitalized.
Now the man who has defeated every foe who has crossed his path says his last and final words: "I am dying. I commend you to God. I can no longer remain with you. I cannot defend myself from death."
The clergy pray, and William makes the sign of the cross.
Then it is over, and William Marshal, a knight who served four kings as military advisor, Marshal and as Regent of England, is now dead. His eldest son, who has instantly become Marshal of England, weeps and wraps his arms about his dead father one final time. Though William never shared any love for or with his own father, this was far from the truth with William and his sons.
Geoffrey the Templar now lays the cloak over William's still body.
The funeral is held over several days because there are so many who wish to mourn the knight. William's body is moved from church to church during the services until its final resting place at the Temple church in London.
It was said that the poor were fed better by William the Marshal during his funeral than had been fed by any king.
And they wept for him.
When word reached France, Philip wept. He would go around to others in his court saying, "Have you heard? The Marshal is dead."
The knight who was known throughout two kingdons as the flower of chivalry was dead.
But, not forgotten.
bravenet.com