1120 The loss of the White Ship
Henry I of England was a philoprogenitive individual: he produced children in great numbers. Henry sired at least 26 offspring by his wives and various mistresses, but of these only one legitimate son survived to maturity. This was Prince William, a 17-year old who died when the drunken crew of the “White Ship” which was taking him to England wrecked the vessel on a rock off the coast of Normandy. The prince had been safely put into a small boat which was rowing to shore when he demanded it turn back to rescue his sister. As others tried to clamber aboard, the boat capsized and all were drowned.
William’s death caused a succession crisis. Royal fashion was turning against illegitimate heirs, though a number of previous kings (including the lad’s grandfather) had been bastards, so Henry attempted to make his barons swear allegiance to his daughter Matilda (aka Maud). After Henry’s death many of the barons went back on their oaths and supported a male claimant, Stephen of Blois. The result was a generation of civil war and anarchy.
A 19th century poem by Felicia Dorothea Hemans portrays Henry’s grief.
The bark that held the prince went down,
The sweeping waves rolled on;
And what was England’s glorious crown
To him that wept a son?
He lived, for life may long be borne
Ere sorrow breaks its chain:
Why comes not death to those who mourn?
He never smiled again.
There stood proud forms before his throne,
The stately and the brave;
But who could fill the place of one,–
That one beneath the wave?
Before him passed the young and fair,
In pleasure’s reckless train;
But seas dashed o’er his son’s bright hair–
He never smiled again.
He sat where festal bowls went round;
He heard the minstrel sing;
He saw the tour-ney’s victor crowned
Amid the knightly ring.
A murmur of the restless deep
Was blent with every strain,
A voice of winds that would not sleep–
He never smiled again.
Hearts, in that time, closed o’er the trace
Of vows once fondly poured,
And strangers took the kins-man’s place
At many a joyous board;
Graves which true love had bathed with tears
Were left to heaven’s bright rain;
Fresh hopes were born for other years–
He never smiled again.