The White Ship charts a defining moment in English history when, in 1120, Henry I’s ship was rammed into rocks by its drunken helmsman, drowning Henry’s son and heir William in the process. It is one of the greatest disasters the country has ever suffered, the repercussions of which affect Europe to this day. Violent civil war followed; a game of thrones witnessing English and Norman barons, rebellious Welsh princes and the Scottish king all playing a part in a bloody, desperate scrum for power.

Earl Spencer’s talk will take place at 4.00pm on Thursday 10th June, via Zoom.

“I’m delighted to accept Peterborough Cathedral’s invitation to share my passion for this subject”, said Charles Spencer. “My hope is that the audience will further appreciate how European life today is defined in part by certain key historical pinch-points and this was certainly one of them.”

A former American television on-air journalist, Charles Spencer began his history writing career publishing books about his own family. He has appeared recently on the BBC to present a three-part series Charles I: Downfall of a King. He served as a Page of Honour to HM the Queen in the 1970s and has been one of her Deputy Lieutenants for Northamptonshire since 2005. He is the brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and his family seat is Althorp in Northamptonshire. His family is the nineteenth generation to live in the five-hundred-year-old house. 

Tickets

Earl Spencer’s online talk will be followed by questions from the audience. Tickets, which include a copy of the paperback edition of The White Ship, signed by the author, are available via this link: Tickets for Earl Spencer's talk.