The White ShipThe White Ship

King Henry I was sailing for England in triumph after four years of fighting the French. By 1120, Henry was perhaps the most formidable ruler in Europe. Everything he had worked so hard for was finally achieved, and he was ready to hand it on to his son and heir, William. Henry I and his retinue set out first. The White Ship would follow, carrying the young prince. Spoilt and arrogant, William had plied his comrades and crew with drink. It was the middle of the night when the drunken helmsman rammed the ship into rocks. There would be only one survivor from the gilded roll call of passengers... Written to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the shipwreck, Charles Spencer evokes the harsh and brutal story of the Normans from Conquest to Anarchy.