Thomas FitzStephen

FitzStephen was the son of Stephen FitzAirard (Old French: Estienne fiz Airard), the captain of the Mora, the ship which brought William the Conqueror over from Normandy during his invasion of England in 1066.

[1] FitzStephen owned and captained the White Ship, which at that time was docked at Barfleur harbour.

Sire king, I beg you to grant me the same office in fief: I have a vessel called the Blanche-Nef, well equipped and manned with fifty skilful mariners.

[5] The White Ship was fast, of the best construction and had recently been fitted with new materials, which made the captain and crew confident they could reach England first.

[5] The loss of life was devastating – according to Orderic Vitalis only one survived, by clinging to the rock all night: a butcher from Rouen.