William Adelin (5 August 1103-25 November 1120) was Duke of Normandy from 5 August to 25 November 1120, interrupting Henry I's reigns. He died in the infamous White Ship disaster of 1120.
Biography[]
William Adelin was born in Winchester, Hampshire, England in 1103, the son of King Henry I of England and Matilda of Scotland. He was invested as Duke of Normandy in 1120 and was groomed as his father's heir. On 25 November 1120, while William was crossing the English Channel from Barfleur to England aboard the White Ship, the ship struck a rock and began to sink. Adelin had a chance to escape, but he stayed behind in an attempt to rescue his half-sister Matilda FitzRoy, Countess of Perche from the water. Both of them drowned when his dinghy capsized, and his death led to his father falling into a depression and ultimately led to The Anarchy.