What did the White Ship look like?

Answer 1

The White Ship was a vessel which sank near the Coast of Normandy, in Northern France on 25 November 1120. It is important in English history because one of those drowned was William, the oldest son of King Henry I. William would have become the next king if he had survived. King Henry had intended his daughter, Matilda (also known as Maud) to succeed him but after his death in December 1135 she was not a popular choice because of her gender and the fact that her husband was Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou - an enemy of the Norman Barons. Henry's nephew, Stephen of Blois laid claim to the throne and there followed a nineteen year civil war between supporters of King Stephen and supporters of Matilda, known as The Anarchy. This was resolved by the Treaty of Wallingford in 1153 whereby Stephen agreed that Matilda's son Henry would succeed him. Stephen was the last Norman king and, when he died on 25 October 1154 Henry became King Henry II, the first Plantagenet King.

Answer 2

The White Ship sank in the English channel and led to the period of the Anarchy in England. The ship was a sailing vessel with two large sails and a tall prow. It was built of wood.