Status Updates From The White Ship: Conquest, A...

The famous “surfeit of lampreys” death xP
Stephen’s a jerk. So’s all the other dudes who reneged on their word. (But I kinda understand why some of them did it, from a fear perspective). Still. I highly dislike Stephen.
Eleanor of Aquitaine is mentioned 🤩
I’m team Matilda.

Finished w/part 2!
Empress Matilda and the future Henry II have come onto the scene!
Poor Henry I, thought he had everything perfect until the White Ship Disaster.
Also poor Louis the Fat’s son :(
Medieval freak accidents seem so common ngl.

…the ship has sunk :(
They were kinda idiotic, though, getting everyone drunk. Even some of the would-be passengers noticed this and left. Drunk fools chased off the monks sent to bless the journey too. (I’m not superstitious but I do believe there is something to praying for protection before journeys.)
There were so many problems on so many levels here.
Henry I never should’ve left a bunch of young kids alone.

A nice overview of Henry I’s battles and victories. In 1120, by the time of the White Ship Disaster, he was at the height of his power. Like, everything was perfect. This is like a perfect novel—too bad it was real life.
Next chapter: Nice (if rather overwhelming) list of all the important people who end up DYING. Shows the consequences aren’t just a succession crisis but also governmental one.
Poor Henry I :(

The fact that Roger of Saulisbury caught Henry I’s attention bc of his ability to give swift Masses is highly amusing XD
The Normans abhorred slavery! I’m proud of my Norman ancestors!
Henry I valued skill above pedigree. I think this king is a bit underrated tbh.

Never knew how horrible William Rufus was… man, King John was bad ofc but idk… William Rufus seemed almost equally as bad, minus the murdering-my-nephew part. Kinda feel bad that John gets all the hate when I think Rufus is probably worthy of a good chunk of hate himself, based on what he let his men do to innocent people, much less what he did himself.