WHITE SHIP

This ship sank with great consequences for the English throne on 25 November 1120 while leaving port to cross the Channel to England. The crew were mostly drunk, as was the captain. Many members of the royal household were on board and perished, chief among them being William the /Etheling, son of Henry I and heir to the throne. The death of young William left the kingdom without an heir apparent; Henry's attempt to make his daughter Matilda his heir resulted in civil war.