Charles Spencer: The White Ship (1120)

Charles Spencer takes us back exactly nine centuries to one of the most shocking maritime disasters in English history: the sinking of the White Ship.

Down with the White Ship on 25 November went King Henry I's legitimate son, William Ætheling, and many leading nobles. The fallout was both immediate and long-lasting. For decades afterwards England would be lost to civil war.

The material covered in this episode of Travels Through Time comes from Charles Spencer's latest book, The White Ship, Conquest, Anarchy and The Wrecking of Henry I’s Dream.

For much, much more, head to our website: tttpodcast.com

Show notes

Scene One: 1120, Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. Henry I grants Geoffrey de Clinton land to build a castle

Scene Two: 25 November 1120. The White Ship sinks at Barfleur

Scene Three: Late November. The New Forest. King Henry learns of the disaster

Memento: The figurehead of the doomed White Ship

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People/Social

Presenter: Violet Moller

Guest: Charles Spencer

Production: Maria Nolan

Podcast partner: Colorgraph

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