The White Ship: Conquest, Anarchy and the Wrecking of Henry I's Dream

By Charles Spencer

Book Overview

THE #2 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

'As gripping as any thriller. History doesn't get any better than this' BILL BRYSON'A brilliant read ... Game of Thrones but in the real world' ANTHONY HOROWITZ

PICKED AS A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020 BY THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, THE GUARDIAN, THE DAILY MAIL AND THE DAILY EXPRESS.

The sinking of the White Ship in 1120 is one of the greatest disasters England has ever suffered. In one catastrophic night, the king's heir and the flower of Anglo-Norman society were drowned and the future of the crown was thrown violently off course.

In a riveting narrative, Charles Spencer follows the story from the Norman Conquest through to the decades that would become known as the Anarchy: a civil war of untold violence that saw families turn in on each other with English and Norman barons, rebellious Welsh princes and the Scottish king all playing a part in a desperate game of thrones. All because of the loss of one vessel - the White Ship - the medieval Titanic.

'Highly enjoyable' Simon Heffer
'Brilliant' Dan Jones
'Fascinating' Tom Bower

The #2 Sunday Times bestseller on Sunday 18 June 2021

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0008296847
• ISBN13: 9780008296841
• Release Date: January 2022
• Publisher: William Collins
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

The History of one of England's Most Consequential Moments

This is a super fun read about one of English history's greatest disasters and the far reaching fallout. No spoilers here as it is right there on the jacket, but The White Ship left mainland Europe bound for England carrying the wealthiest and most powerful people of the era including Henry I's son and the heir to the throne. Due to misbehavior and idiocy, it sank an hour into the voyage, leaving a single survivor (with his own wild story to tell). The sinking of the White Ship rocked a fledgling dynasty in the early days of rule, resulted in backstabbing and wars, and had repercussions that lasted a century. This is a really fun one for fan's of history, but also those who enjoy a taste of royal scandal and historical pageantry. From here, grab "The Plantagenets" by Dan Jones for a great time in the age of kings, queens, and castles.