Book Review – The White Ship

The central point of this book is the sinking of the White Ship on the night of 25th November 1120.

The lead up to this event is dealt with in great detail as are the consequences which resulted in a period of anarchy / civil war that lasted decades and exhausted everyone in the country. The sinking was a pivotal moment in English history.

The royal party was in Barfleur on the north coast of France heading back to Southampton in England.

There were two ships. The first carrying King Henry I of England set off earlier in the evening with all the passengers aware of who was on board and with no hint of drunkeness.

On the other hand…on the White Ship there had been plenty of drinking prior to embarkation. This had the feel of a party boat heading out on a lake for a good time, rather than a trip across the English Channel on a cold winter night. On board were many nobles of the English court including King Henry I’s only legitimate son, his heir, William Aetheling.

Once the White Ship started off, it was rowed with reckless abandon towards the open sea – the stated intention of the captain was to catch the other boat – but unfortunately the well-known hazard known as the Quilleboeuf rock got in the way, gashed the port side of the ship and destroyed many oars. The ship shuddered and keeled over. William Aetheling was taken to safety on the only rowing boat aboard but he ordered his helpers to go back to help his half-sister.

There was only one survivor and most of the bodies were never found.