'Ironclad' movie and William d'Aubigny.

I've just heard about the movie called 'Ironclad' that's being made. It seems to offer a very gritty portrayal of the Middle Ages, where everyone is covered in blood and filth, and where there is a lot of roaring and growling going on. I'm sure it will be worth checking out, and look forward to seeing it and giving a proper review.

The film, I gather, is based on the siege of Rochester Castle by King John in the later months of 1215, during the First Barons War. At that time John was still having to put down his rebellious barons, who had recently forced him to sign the Magna Carta. The rebels, under William d'Aubigny, having gained possession of the Castle, offered particularly stiff resistance. In his frustration, John mutilated some of his captives by cutting off their hands and feet. Parts of the fortress had to be brought crashing down around the rebels by and trebuchet bombardment undermining. Choice pigs were requisitioned by the king, so that their fat could fuel the burning of the pit props in the tunnels, which brought down the walls. Even then the defenders held out, and surrendered only when they started to starve.

After the siege, the rebel barons were imprisoned. John only hanged one prisoner, an archer who had formerly been in his own service. D'Aubigny (who had been one of the 25 guarantors or sureties of the Magna Carta) later fought for the crown at Lincoln, under the gallant William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke. By this time a French invasion in support of the baronial revolt had done more to discredit than assist that cause, John's death and the succession of the young Henry III had also removed the major cause of grievance. D'Aubigny was buried at Newstead Abbey (except for his heart). Newstead was said to be the monastery with which Friar Tuck was associated, and went on to become the home of Lord Byron (another notably revolting noble in more than one sense).

I'm not sure if the Templars were as involved in the 1215 siege of Rochester Castle as the film apparently shows. However a granddaughter of D'Aubigny married Robert de Ros, 1st Baron de Ros. This Robert was the grandson of the Robert de Ros who is buried near William Marshal in Temple Church London, (and who was another of the sureries of the Magna Carta). A famous descendant of the D'Aubigny/Ros line was George Washington, which perhaps explains quite a bit.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/kent/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8332000/8332214.stm