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How Drunken Celebration Sank The White Ship
- The White Ship struck the Quilberth/Keyberth rock after a night of drinking, causing ~300 drownings including Prince William Adelin.
- Survivors were few; a butcher from Rouen clung to a mast and was the only long-term survivor for decades.
Administrative Strength Couldn't Replace A Lost Heir
- Henry I built a powerful administrative state and military dominance but still relied on a single legitimate male heir for dynastic security.
- His successes (Exchequer, victory over Louis) made the loss of William catastrophic politically.
Medieval Fear Of The Sea Multiplied The Death Toll
- Lack of swimming skills turned the Channel into a mass-mortality trap for medieval passengers.
- Even a small lifeboat capsized when desperate nobles clung to it, drowning Prince William Adelin.