Charles Spencer, Earl Spencer

Being a legitimate son of William the Conqueror, one would think that Henry I had a clear, undisputed path to the throne. But in the 11th c., despite England as a whole being administratively sound, the monarchy teetered towards France or Normandy or even Scandinavia. What's more, without immediate protection after his father's death, Henry I's inheritance fell into the hands of his debauched and foolish older brothers, Robert Curthose and William Rufus. With exceptional determination Henry show more I lied, bribed, persuaded, and clawed his way to the throne. It was a title that was well-earned but brutally fought for. However, despite it all, the one thing Henry I could never gain control over was the sea.

It's a shame this book is sold as a sea disaster/tragedy - a là Titanic - because it's actually an excellent biography. The sinking of the White Ship takes place in the last third of the book, so I don't blame other readers for feeling misled by the back cover synopsis. However, much like the sinking of the Titanic, the economical and political impact of the event is immediate and devastating.

Aside from that, I enjoyed @charles.earl.spencer narrative style. Since I am in the midst of educating myself on medieval history, a book that is accessible and engaging is much appreciated. The only thing missing from this book is perhaps another map mid-way through, or an illustrated family tree to further assist the reader. But I could hardly put it down! Spencer allows the reader to travel alongside Henry I in his quest for the throne, stand beside him at court, and watch in fearful anticipation for the ship, and son, that will never arrive on that cold November night. It's a rare moment in history indeed that a kingdom's entire trajectory is altered. Henry I ruled for 35 years only to have it all undone by "...the grievous calamity..." show less

A truly fantastic book, detailing the effects of the death of William Aetheling, sole heir to Henry I, on a ship headed back to his English homeland. Spencer does a good job of using surnames to distinguish one royal or courtier from another and that lends to this book's readability.

And it is necessary to know not just how personally devastating it was for Henry I to lose a son; it was also a tragedy for his new kingdom. After William the Conqueror died, his three sons each took a turn at show more ruling Norman England. But it was still early in the Conquest and therefore necessary to know who were a king's allies and how well they would fare at his side.

Though Henry was the youngest of William the Conqueror's sons, he managed to consolidate power and followers in both England and Normandy, where he still held lands. His oldest brother died from a mis-shot arrow, and his middle brother was nowhere near a competent ruler, so Henry seized power and had Robert Curthouse imprisoned for life.

Henry I had many children but only 1 legitimate male heir, William Aetheling. And after battles and conquests and treaties, Norman and English lords bowed their knee to recognize this heir. Ready to set sail at night in November, 1120, the 17 year old William chose to celebrate his success and status by ordering casks of wine brought on board and enjoyed by both crew and passengers. Trying to sail fast enough that night to take over his father's ship, also bound for England, William's ship crashed into a rock exiting the harbor and sank with all but one traveler drowned.

The after effects of Henry's sole heir dying were to have lasting consequences in a civil war between two claimants to the throne: Stephen of Blois, who had royal blood; and Matilda of Britain, whom Henry had named as his heir after her brother's death. While the courtiers swore oaths to their sovereign that they would follow Matilda as Queen, many of them switched to Stephen during the years of the anarchy and many English died in the fighting. It is Spencer's theory that this tragedy is felt even now, 900 years later, in Englad. show less

Trigger Warnings: Intense physical and emotional child abuse, childhood sexual abuse

Boy, this was a difficult book to read. And I tip my hat to Charles Spencer for writing it. His writing style is fantastic - I read it in about 3 or 4 days. It's the subject matter of nightmares and maybe because of its unrelenting pace, or maybe just the subject matter, I could not give this book 5 stars. Others may differ.

The book details his 5 years, from 1972 to 1977, that he spent as a boarder at show more Maidwell Hall and the trauma he and the other boys experienced at the hands of the headmaster, the staff, and from one another. He was 8 when he was sent there as were many (most?) of the other boys of his station and generation in England. In fact, the beginning of this book includes quotes from George Orwell, who was whisked to boarding school 30 years before Spencer in much the same way, about the futility of it and the hope that such a life would never happen to another boy.

Spencer gives his personal accounts of the beatings, the homesickness, and the emotional abuse from the teachers. He also uses personal interviews (the names have been changed) with his classmates, both in the same forms and those who graduated later or earlier, to describe the conditions and their experiences at Maidwell. And the book kept going on through the years Spencer was a boarder to the point where I just wanted to stop reading. Because I wanted the abuse to stop for him and his fellow boarders, and that may have been the point: there was no end in sight for these young boys, until they matriculated from Maidwell and entered Eton or the other secondary schools their entrance exams allowed them to attend.

Once he becomes an adult, he details both his struggles with adulthood and those of his fellow Maidwell classmates. Much of the stories are the same for them all as adults: alcoholism, divorce, or even near-silence and self-imposed isolation.

I must say, it took guts to write this book and for Charles Spencer to write the deepest sadnesses and trauma of his childhood. It's not easy reading, there are triggers, and I hope the healing continues. show less

A moving memoir showing that privilege does not protect a child from abuse. Spencer (Princess Diana's younger brother and established historian), writes of the brutal system that lay behind the façade of Maidwell Hall prep school. Sadism, bullying, violence and sexual abuse were rampant, but hidden behind jokey reports and tightly controlled parental access. (And children who had no way to express what was happening to them). It also points to the adult consequences (broken relationships show more and self harm and suicide) from the damage done to the sensitive children. Spencer is well aware that he is almost uniquely privileged (with wealth and connections to royalty) but it is still a story that needs telling. He also notes that modern sensibilities (and communications technology) make it increasingly difficult for perpetrators to go undiscovered. show less