A review by academiceditor
The White Ship: Conquest, Anarchy and the Wrecking of Henry I's Dream by Charles Spencer

5.0

Charles Spencer’s The White Ship plunges readers into one of England’s greatest maritime disasters and its far-reaching consequences. The book captures the essence of a pivotal moment in medieval history with the same intensity as a contemporary thriller.

On the fateful night of November 25, 1120, the White Ship, carrying Henry I’s only legitimate heir, William Ætheling, set sail from Barfleur. Laden with the crème de la crème of Anglo-Norman society, the ship’s journey ended in tragedy when it struck rocks, leading to the death of nearly everyone on board. This catastrophe not only wiped out the future king but also set off a chain of events that plunged England into a civil war known as the Anarchy.

Spencer’s narrative is not confined to the sinking alone; he masterfully weaves the tale of the Norman dynasty from William the Conqueror to the chaotic years following the disaster. The author explores the personal histories and political machinations of the era, offering readers a vivid portrayal of a time when the quest for power was unrelenting and brutal.

One of the most striking aspects of The White Ship is how it parallels modern-day power struggles. The civil war that ensued after the shipwreck is reminiscent of a real-life Game of Thrones, where familial bonds are tested, alliances are forged and broken, and the fight for supremacy is relentless. Spencer’s portrayal of Matilda’s battle for recognition as the rightful heir highlights the gender dynamics of the time, raising questions about the evolution of female power in the centuries that followed.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.