Introducing... Charles Spencer
Introducing…
Charles Spencer
‘Introducing…’ is our online interview series to introduce you to some of the amazing authors we’re working with and the brilliant books they have coming up!
Following on from our previous ‘Introducing’ in which we spoke to art historian Loyd Grossman about his book An Elephant in Rome, we are now delighted to turn to historian Charles Spencer to hear about his new book, The White Ship.
Welcome! To start with, could you tell us a little bit about yourself…
Yes – I’m the father of seven children and the author of seven books. I was a foreign correspondent for one of the American networks in the ’80s and ‘90s, when I learnt to “write to picture”. It’s something I try to incorporate into my books – I want my reader to visualise every paragraph, and not be bored by dry historical writing. I’m 6 foot 4, 56-years-old, and look after Althorp, a house that my family built through successful sheep-trading, in 1508. I like Italian red wine and sushi – but never together. I have a gold disc, for Phyllis Nelson’s No. 1 – Move Closer….
The White Ship is out on 17th September. In your own words, could you give us an overview of the book?
It’s essentially a cross between Titanic and Game of Thrones – with a slice of Sliding Doors thrown in! It’s the true tale of the most catastrophic shipwreck England’s ever suffered – three of Henry I’s children were aboard, including his only legitimate son (he had 22 illegitimate children), and also the flower of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, with many of the king’s greatest military men and courtiers. When Henry was eventually informed of the scope of his loss, he fell to the ground screaming in agony. They say he never smiled again, during the remaining 15 years of his reign. Because of the loss of the heir to the throne, England suffered a terrible bloodbath of a civil war, which came to be known as “the Anarchy”. And the man who succeeded Henry I as king was a nephew who disembarked the doomed White Ship just before she set sail…. Everyone aboard died – except for one, a butcher who is an amazing eyewitness to the tragedy.
What was your inspired you to write the book?
It’s an unbelievably gripping tale from the Middle Ages, and I was struck by the tragedy of it all when I learnt about it as a child. It’s amazing that something as humdrum as a shipwreck – they were common at the time – upended a royal line, and led, in time, to the Plantagenets taking over, for more than 300 years. And I also saw that the anniversary of the tragedy was coming up, this November – the 900th anniversary. It’s quite a landmark. I wanted to mark the anniversary with a proper work. But I also set the tragedy in context, starting with the Norman Conquest, and ending with Henry II ascending the throne.
How did you find the writing process? Do you work to a set schedule?
I tend to research for 6 hours a day. This book took two years of research, as it was a new period for me – my last three books were on the English Civil War, of the mid-17th century. So, I needed to read everything – especially all the monk-historians, and their accounts of what happened at this time. Then I wrote – I write for 4 hours a day, because otherwise my brain burns out. I was boringly ill for a couple of months of the writing, which meant I handed the White Ship in late. I always try to be on time – not just sticking to contract, but also because my life is crazily busy, and I have to fit everything into a limited time!
What makes King Henry I one of England’s greatest rulers?
He was perfect for his time. He was focused, ruthless, intelligent, and he had a plan: essentially, everyone must do as I want, or suffer! He sorted out royal finances – he took any messing about with his coinage as treason, and castrated and cut the hands off offenders. He founded the Exchequer, to compute what moneys were owed to him. He was a good military leader, and he took his chances. I also think he was measured in his ambitions: he wanted to control England and Normandy, he didn’t try to make further military conquests. People feared but respected him.
There are some incredible characters in the book – were there any you were particularly fascinated by?
There are some wonderful female characters, in particular. Mathilde of Boulogne was the queen of England, and when her husband King Stephen was taken prisoner of war she did everything to further his cause – even laying waste to lands south of the Thames. And I was also intrigued by Adela of Blois, William the Conqueror’s youngest daughter, who was incredibly clever, a fine diplomat, and a lioness in the protection of her children, and in planning their advancement: King Stephen was one of her high-achieving sons.
What are you most excited about for the launch of the book?
What I love is bringing back forgotten events and figures from history. There was a time when every child in this country learnt about the White Ship. It was a staple part of medieval historical teaching, because of its unequalled drama. But that’s no longer the case, when classroom history is often focused on Hitler and Henry VIII. I want to bring Henry I back into focus. You know, he’s buried under a school in Reading! I believe he should be in Westminster Abbey. I’m not pretending this book will achieve that, of course!
The White Ship by Charles Spencer
Out 17th September 2020
Charles Spencer is the author of seven history books, including two Sunday Times bestsellers – Blenheim: Battle for Europe (shortlisted for History Book of the Year, National Book Awards), and Killers of the King: The Men Who Dared to Execute Charles I. His previous book, To Catch a King: Charles II’ s Great Escape, was a (London) Times bestseller in 2017 and 2018.
He has also presented documentaries for the History Channel and has been interviewed in his capacity as an expert historian on several occasions by the BBC, most recently in the BBC4 three-part series ‘Charles I: Downfall of a King’.
He was awarded a MA in Modern History from Magdalen College, Oxford University, before going on to work for the American TV network NBC News for a decade, as an on-air correspondent, mainly for the TODAY Show.
The White Ship: Conquest, Anarchy and the Wrecking of Henry I’s Dream is published by William Collins on 17th September. For more information and to pre-order, visit:
https://charles-spencer.com/product/the-white-ship/
