William Longspee II
William Longspee II (c.1212–50), eldest son and heir of Countess Ela of Salisbury (d. 1261) and William Longspee I (d. 1226), is chiefly remembered for his crusading deeds and the manner of his death. He went on crusade twice, which suggests a genuine crusading enthusiasm. He first accompanied Richard of Cornwall to the Holy Land in 1240–1. Then, in 1247, he took the cross again and with some 200 English knights joined Louis IX of France in Egypt in 1249. The army advanced from Damietta towards Cairo, but was halted by a waterway it was unable to cross until a ford was discovered. On 8 February 1250 the vanguard, including the English under William, crossed at dawn with instructions to secure a bridgehead and advance no further. But Count Robert of Artois rashly goaded the rest of the vanguard into an assault upon the town of Mansourah, where they were overwhelmed in the narrow streets. A legend concerning William's supposed exemplary last stand rapidly developed in England, a vehicle for adulation of the English and savage denunciation of the French. For over a century William enjoyed a considerable reputation as a national crusading hero.
S. D. Lloyd
More From encyclopedia.com
William I (england) , William I (king of England)
William I or William the Conqueror, 1027?–1087, king of England (1066–87). Earnest and resourceful, William was not only… William I (the Conqueror) , The English king William I (1027/1028-1087), called the Conqueror, subjugated England in 1066 and turned this Saxon-Scandinavian country into one wit… William Iii (netherlands) , William III
William III (1650–1702), king of England, Scotland (as William II), and Ireland (1689–1702), prince of Orange. Appointed stadtholder of H… William Iii (england) , William III (1650–1702), king of England, Scotland (as William II), and Ireland (1689–1702), prince of Orange. Appointed stadtholder of Holland and Z… Edward Bennett Williams , Edward Bennett Williams
Edward Bennett Williams (1920-1988) was one of the best known and most successful trial lawyers in Washington in his day. Wel… William Carlos Williams , Williams, William Carlos
WILLIAMS, William Carlos
Nationality: American. Born: Rutherford, New Jersey, 17 September 1883. Education: Elementary schoo…
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
William Longspee II