Member-only story

Like Ship Fair Ghost Upon The Sea: Poetry Dedicated to The White Ship

Garrett Powell

·14.1k Followers· Follow

Published in Like A Ship S Fair Ghost Upon The Sea Poetry Dedicated To The White Ship

6 min read

322 View Claps

18 Respond

Save

Listen

The White Ship Disaster

On November 25, 1120, The White Ship, a vessel carrying Prince William Adelin, the only legitimate son of King Henry I of England, and many other prominent nobles, sank in the English Channel. The disaster claimed the lives of all on board, including William Adelin.

Like a Ship's Fair Ghost Upon the Sea - Poetry Dedicated to the White Ship

by Carmen Boullosa

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1004 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	22 pages

The sinking of The White Ship was a profound tragedy for England. William Adelin was the heir to the throne, and his death left the succession in doubt. The disaster also had a significant impact on the development of English literature, as it inspired numerous works of poetry.

Poetry Dedicated to The White Ship

The White Ship disaster has been the subject of numerous poems, from medieval chronicles to modern elegies. One of the earliest poems about the disaster is the anonymous "Lay of the White Ship," which was written shortly after the event. The poem recounts the events of the disaster and mourns the loss of William Adelin.

Another early poem about The White Ship is "The Haystack in the Floods" by William Morris. This poem, which was written in 1858, takes a more reflective approach to the disaster, exploring the themes of loss, grief, and the passage of time.

In 1912, Thomas Hardy wrote "The Convergence of the Twain," a poem that commemorates the sinking of The White Ship and the sinking of the RMS Titanic. This poem uses the two disasters to reflect on the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death.

William Morris's "The Haystack in the Floods"

William Morris's "The Haystack in the Floods" is one of the most well-known poems about The White Ship disaster. The poem is set in the aftermath of the disaster, and it focuses on a group of survivors who are huddled around a haystack. The survivors are haunted by the memory of the disaster, and they are unable to come to terms with their loss.

The poem is written in a slow, meditative style, and it uses rich imagery to create a vivid picture of the aftermath of the disaster. Morris also uses symbolism to explore the themes of loss, grief, and the passage of time.

The haystack in the poem can be seen as a symbol of hope and survival. It is the only thing that remains standing after the disaster, and it provides a place of refuge for the survivors. However, the haystack is also surrounded by water, which symbolizes the danger and uncertainty that the survivors face.

The poem also explores the theme of grief. The survivors are unable to come to terms with their loss, and they are haunted by the memory of the disaster. The poem suggests that grief is a process that takes time, and that it is not always possible to move on from a traumatic event.

Finally, the poem explores the theme of the passage of time. The poem is set many years after the disaster, and the survivors are now old and frail. The poem suggests that time can heal wounds, but that it can also never fully erase the memory of a traumatic event.

Thomas Hardy's "The Convergence of the Twain"

Thomas Hardy's "The Convergence of the Twain" is a poem that commemorates the sinking of The White Ship and the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The poem uses the two disasters to reflect on the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death.

The poem is written in a somber and reflective style, and it uses vivid imagery to create a powerful picture of the two disasters. Hardy also uses symbolism to explore the themes of human frailty, the power of nature, and the inevitability of death.

The two ships in the poem can be seen as symbols of human ambition and achievement. The White Ship was a luxurious vessel that was carrying the heir to the English throne. The RMS Titanic was the largest and most technologically advanced ship of its time. However, both ships were ultimately destroyed by the forces of nature.

The poem also explores the theme of human frailty. The passengers on both ships were confident in their own abilities and the safety of their vessels. However, both ships were ultimately sunk by unforeseen events. The poem suggests that human beings are ultimately powerless against the forces of nature.

Finally, the poem explores the theme of the inevitability of death. The sinking of The White Ship and the RMS Titanic are both reminders of the fact that death comes to all of us, regardless of our wealth, status, or power. The poem suggests that we should all be prepared for death, and that we should live our lives to the fullest while we can.

The White Ship disaster has inspired numerous works of poetry, from medieval chronicles to modern elegies. These poems explore the themes of loss, grief, the passage of time, human frailty, the power of nature, and the inevitability of death. These poems are a reminder of the tragedy of The White Ship disaster, and they continue to resonate with readers today.

Like a Ship's Fair Ghost Upon the Sea - Poetry Dedicated to the White Ship

by Carmen Boullosa

5 out of 5