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The White Ship
- Conquest, Anarchy and the Wrecking of Henry I’s Dream
- Narrated by: Richard Trinder
- Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
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The White Ship
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Summary
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.
Critic reviews
"How a drunk teenager shipwrecked the monarchy.... As colourful and racy narrative history goes, this absolutely gallops. The White Ship whips through 100 years of complex history from the Norman Conquest to Henry II." (Daily Mail)
"Rooted in the medieval chronicles, but crafted like a Hollywood thriller. Spencer is one of the finest narrative historians around.... This story fairly rattles towards it terrible denouement." (Mail on Sunday)
"Charles Spencer has shown himself to be a perceptive and lively historian.... A gifted storyteller.... A complex tale spanning decades, with a rich, but rarely attractive cast of characters, 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)
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Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 30-03-21
Awful narration
This clearly well researched and well written book is utterly ruined by a robotic narration. I get the impression that the narrator has no understanding of the subject and has recorded a first read-through. I wonder how it ever got past quality control! Don’t waste you money on this version, buy the book instead. Returned for a refund.
14 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- valmapp
- 09-05-21
Great book but spoilt by the reader
Very disappointed with the reader whose voice is very flat and almost sounds like a computer! This book deserves better. Couldn’t listen for more than 10 minutes so will buy the book. Audible please do better than this! Feel like I should be refunded.
10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 03-09-21
Great book, terrible reading.
Excellent story but the reader has the dullest most wooden delivery and I couldn’t listen to anymore than an hour. I’ve bought the book instead so as not to put me off such a fascinating moment in history.
8 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- LR
- 12-10-20
A good overview of post-Conquest England
This book gives a great insight into how the Plantagenet kings came to sit on the English throne. It does require your attention to keep track of who is who exactly, particularly among Henry's illegitimate children, and at one point there seems to be an awful lot of Rogers doing battle with one another. But if you're into your medieval history, and want a better idea of how all those magnificent castles came to be there, you could do a lot worse that Charles Spencer's The White Ship.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- PJW
- 03-09-21
Awful presentation
The reading is at speed and without much modulation. I am sure it is well researched and he normally writes well but I have given up on trying to listen to it. I suggest you buy the book.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JONAH8208
- 26-01-21
Brilliant and Enlightening
A side note of history that was indeed a massive game changer for all that followed. Its importance would be on a scale of Harold winning at Hastings or Germany winning WW1 and dictating terms to the Allies, that big a deal a real crossroads in history with consequences that changed everything. I really didn't realize the true significance of the loss of this ship and I appreciate the education.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs M E Burstow
- 03-11-20
Good Hospital Reading
My father is in hospital and getting rather board. He wanted a book which was interesting, intellectually stimulating and zipped along nicely.
The White Ship fulfilled the brief rather well.
A fascinating book. Well written. Which covers a less well known period in history.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- book_ish
- 08-09-21
Wonderful historical detail
The whole historical content is fascinating. Enjoyed this book content very much...although the narration at times can be irksome in that it is occasionally sti-ca-t-oed...a.n.d. p.u.n.c.t.u.a.t.e.d. which may have more to do with the technical post production of the narrator's voice than his delivery but as in this (and with some other British Audible narrators on other books!), also being told to use the American pronunciation of some words!! ie in this book rouw-t instead of route(root)! etc etc..
2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Susan Ryland
- 07-03-21
Good historical account
I enjoyed this history lesson about post 1066 and leading up to the Plantagenets. So much to learn and I had to turn down speed of the narrator to take it all in. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sarah Wyatt
- 27-07-23
Excellent book!
This work is so informative and really puts the 1066 conquest into historical context. Very fast narration but it does make for active concentration! Will listen again and again!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 28-11-20
Brilliant and concise
Excellent narration and easy to follow. I will definitely search out more of the author's works.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rebecca Hill
- 31-03-22
Death, Devastation, and Redemption
When I first got this book, I was curious how the author was going to get an entire book out of one shipwreck and be able to keep everyone's attention the entire way through - which I quickly discovered was a stupid question. I was HOOKED very early on, and drawn into the story.
The author begins by taking us through William the Conqueror's story, the following kings, the hardships that followed through the kingdom, and winding up with Henry - who had worked hard to ensure that the monarchy was secure. His son, William, was destined to take the throne after his father, but after years of warfare, hard-earned respect, and finally recognition from France, it seemed that everything was complete - bring on the golden years! Cue, the White Ship.
The youth aboard the White Ship was jovial, partying along with the crew, and celebrating. As they waited to embark on their short voyage to England, drinks were flowing, and the crew, unfortunately, was just as drunk as the passengers. Instead of waiting for the following morning, the Captain decided to sail anyway, forgetting about the dangerous rocks at the beginning of the harbor. What happened would crush the aristocracy of England, taking some of the best and brightest of the future generations, tearing families apart, ending families, and destabilizing the monarchy itself.
After the tragedy, there was nothing good waiting for England, which after the death of the king, quickly was realized. While Henry had ensured that his daughter, Matilda, was sworn to be his heir after his death, her cousin, Stephen of Blois, raced to claim the crown instead. What followed were decades of warfare, tearing the country apart. When it seemed that Matilda finally had the crown in her hands, she alienated her support. She had to finally realize that she needed to fight for the rights of her son, not herself, and therein the tides of war changed. Stephen was finally forced to recognize the young Henry Fitzempress as his heir, finally bringing peace and harmony to the country.
I was absolutely blown away by this book, and hate that it took me so long to get through it. I enjoyed the breakdown of the history, the backstory of what led to the tragedy, and the unfortunate endings of the lives of so many promising youths.
For those who love history, this is one book that you need to read. Medieval history at its finest!
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Love Books
- 26-10-21
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!
4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- bigdjunta
- 01-09-21
Dense material
Know what you are getting into! This isn't a wham-bam thank you, ma'am. There are so many characters and plot twists it is so easy to get lost. Strap in and have fun.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- N. Celmins
- 29-06-21
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!
4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Larry b of New Berlin
- 11-11-21
Amazing history
This was an amazing book covering so much . I is interesting to have presented the effect of the sinking of one ship and the chain of events that preceded and followed. well done!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris Corsini
- 31-08-21
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.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anne Keys
- 31-03-23
fantastic story
Honestly, a great read and perspective. The Earl is a really good historical writer! Keep going!
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- K. Masheter Deal
- 25-01-23
Detail on detail with a bit more detail
I simply couldn’t retain the immense before and after familial detail (audiobook version) … I may have missed the White Ship disaster in all the details … I prefer nonfiction writers that have a knack for storytelling … a good reference source I’m sure
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- SMH
- 08-01-23
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.