The White Ship : conquest, anarchy and the wrecking of Henry I's dream / Charles Spencer.
Material type:
TextPublisher: London : William Collins, 2020Description: 338 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : color illustrations, maps ; 24 cmContent type: - text
- unmediated
- volume
- 9780008296803
- 0008296804
| Item type | Home library | Collection | Call number | Materials specified | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult Book
|
Main Library | NonFiction | 910.9163 S745 | Available | 33111010740229 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
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
Includes bibliographical references and index.
The sinking of the White Ship on the 25th November 1120 is one of the greatest disasters that England has ever suffered. Its repercussions would change English and European history for ever. King Henry I was sailing for England in triumph after four years of fighting the French. Congregating with the king at the port of Barfleur on that freezing night was the cream of Anglo-Norman society, including the only legitimate heir to the throne. By 1120, Henry was the most formidable ruler in Europe with an enviable record on the battlefield, immense lands and wealth and unprecedented authority in his kingdoms. Everything he had worked for was finally achieved, and he was ready to hand it on to his beloved son, William AEtheling. Henry I and his retinue set out first. The White Ship - considered the fastest afloat - would follow, carrying the young prince. Spoilt and arrogant, William had plied his comrades and crew with drink from the minute he stepped aboard. 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...
Triumph -- Disaster -- Chaos.