The White Ship

Conquest, Anarchy and the Wrecking of Henry I’s Dream

By: Charles Spencer

Narrated by: Richard Trinder

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

©2020 Charles Spencer (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

‘How a drunk teenager shipwrecked the monarchy … As colourful and racy narrative history goes, this absolutely gallops … Whips through a hundred years of complex history from the Norman Conquest to Henry II’ Daily Mail

“Vividly conjures up this half-forgotten medieval tragedy and its consequences”Daily Mail, Books of the Year

“An epic, gripping history of hubris, piety, treachery, happenstance, rebellion and slaughter.” Catholic Herald

‘Rooted in the medieval chronicles, but crafted like a Hollywood thriller. Spencer is one of the finest narrative historians around’
Mail on Sunday

‘Charles Spencer is a gifted storyteller … Pivoted on one single, tragic winter evening. It is an event and a period of history that should be better known, and now it will be’
The Times

'Spencer proves himself more than a match for the story. He guides the reader well through the dramatic twists and turns of these years, which first placed Henry on the throne, then seemed set to deny the succession of his progeny. Spencer has a particularly good eye for detail, enriching his account with vivid pen-portraits of the main players … Fast-paced and immensely enjoyable'
Literary Review

‘Neglected by popular historians, [Henry I] … has found a master storyteller in Charles Spencer … rooted in excellent historical research … a lyrical, vivid and compelling portrait. He succeeds in bringing to life huge characters from nearly a millennium ago’
Spectator

‘An exhilarating narrative full of incident and insight. Here is the story, marvellously told, of the post-Conquest kings – and one almost-queen – of England: unpredictable, violently dramatic, and never less than compelling’
Helen Castor

'Told with verve and an exceptional eye for detail, this is the story of how a single catastrophe changed the course of British history forever. Dramatic, compelling and utterly addictive’
Tracy Borman

Exactly what you need to know…

I love it about the books. Really nicely done and in a manner as not to be bored to death with minutia. Loved every minute.

awesome

one of the best books read and listened. great book and well read. superb

I always wanted to know more…..

I was always interested in the story of the white ship. I’ve read enough over the years to understand much regarding politics & people, but this gave me the details. Thank you, Charles Spencer, you have done a thorough & enjoyable job!

good history

learned more about the period and also was entertained and honed in on the story the whole time great and interesting

Very decent survey

Earl Charles does a good job here creating a general survey of the reign of Henry I and the immediate aftermath. He does skirt through the actual Anarchy but as a companion to Dan Jones’ The Plantagenets and War of the Roses it is quite good.

fantastic story

Honestly, a great read and perspective. The Earl is a really good historical writer! Keep going!

For history lovers

Engaging, with a brisk pace, this book is everything a history lover could want. The author makes you feel as if you have a clear view of the tumultuous times following death of William the Conqueror and the close connection between England and the European Continent. The WSJ book review brought this work to my attention and I’m so glad it did!

Pleasantly surprised

I admit I entered this with bias against the author from preconceived notions about him based on his conduct and his press image stemming from his role as a member of the British Aristocracy and his tangential connections to the Royal Family .

I was pleasantly surprised. Earl Spencer seems to have found his calling as an historian. He manages the story well, it is engaging, well researched, extensive and detailed and not a topic that is over done. Avoiding the over done Henrys, the Yorks,
the Lancasters, and the Tutors, he gives us King Henry I, Empress Matilda and King Stephen, a story that some have not heard in detail. King Henry II enters only at the end almost as an epilogue to close out the story.

Definitely worth the listen.

Brilliant and concise

Excellent narration and easy to follow. I will definitely search out more of the author's works.

Great book, could've had more on the Anarchy

Great book. Was really hoping and thinking there'd be more about the Anarchy which I'd have preferred over the history of William the Conqueror and entire reigns of William Rufus and Henry I. Either way it was a great book and I finished it in a single go