[MR] The White Ship Disaster, 1120

[Groff, Garth (ggg9y)]

Noble Friends,



Yesterday, 25 November, was the anniversary of the sinking of the White Ship in 1120. The tragic accident took the life of William Adelin, the only legitimate son on the Norman/English king Henry I. Henry named his daughter Matilda (or Maude) as his heir. This didn't sit well with the barons, and after Henry's death many backed Stephen of Blois who made a bid for the throne. This led to 18 years of civil war (actually pretty uncvil). This is the war which forms the back story for Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael novels.



You can read about the White Sjhip here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Ship



Here is a similar page on the war: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Anarchy



Yours Aye,





Lord Mungo Napier, The Archer of Mallard Lodge