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| Old Winchelsea city seal. |
II. The King's Esnecce as Air Force One
The designation “esnecce” has described a range of boat types originating in the area of the North Sea. Even the infamous “Dragon boats” could properly be called “esneccae” also and were little more than esneccae with decorated prows. There seem to be no characteristic differences in size or construction.
It is fair to say that, by the 12th century, and
King Henry II of England’s esnecce, the term described a Norman long boat of 20
to 30 benches (40 to 60 oarsmen) that included a collapsible single central
sail for travel through open water during favorable winds. Being the king’s personal esnecce, it may
have included more benches and enclosed cabins (or “castles”) fore and aft.
The ship in the Winchelsea city seal is sometimes suggested to have been
engraved from Henry II’s esnecce.
Henry’s royal vessel harbored in the port of Southampton as it
had since William the Conqueror became King William I. Under William, Stephen Fitz Airard piloted
the craft, most notably during the channel crossing for the invasion of 1066. Afterwards he was rewarded with the post of Master
of the Royal Esnecce until his death between 1110 and 1120.[1]
The post was so essential that the position went with the grant
of considerable feudal lands around the port.
Shipyard facilities were needed for continual upkeep. Much like the U.S. President’s Air Force One, the vessel had to be available
24/7, whenever sailing orders arrived. Subpar
performance of the esnecce or its crew was unthinkable. The craft must continually undergo the
closest inspection and finest maintenance.
Accommodations must be provided for the shipwrights, workers and
oarsmen. Considerable expenses went with the job and the land.
References to esnecce in previous centuries generally cite
numbers of soldiers for overseas raiding that correspond to the numbers of
rowers for the given number of ships. Almost all were 20 benches. They carried two types of armament. Each end of the vessel was fortified to use
for ramming other vessels. If an enemy
vessel managed to come alongside, the oarsman detached their shields, from
where they hung as cladding along the gunwale, and engaged in hand-to-hand
combat.
Their armament was only meant to support their main purpose
of landing men and supplies on beaches for invasion or raiding. When possible to estimate from accounts, two
horses could be transported, as well as light provisions. During the fifth century the great northern
kings Hengist and Horsa invaded southern England. Their chroniclers record that they
transferred three hundred men on each of three long boats. Each had a forecastle and quarterdeck.[2]
Similarly, Henry’s craft was much larger than even the largest
of his subjects esneccae. By the
available records, it seems to have been used entirely for securely
transferring treasure, persons and cargo across the channel to friendly ports in his
French possessions. Still, it was
considered a daunting military vessel even fully loaded. This may suggest that his used double rowers
(4 per bench, 2 each port and starboard), perhaps even double oars (high/standing
and low/sitting).
Henry’s son, Richard I, is reported to have used a royal
esnecce with a crew of 61. That number
corresponds to 30 benches (for 60 oarsmen) and one steer-man at the
tiller. Presumably this was the same physical
vessel handed down to him from his father. This argues against his father’s having double
rowers as it hardly seems likely that Richard downsized his own vessel or that
Henry did so later during his reign.
[1] Wheaten,
Alexander. “Bekesbourne and the King’s Esnecca,
1110-1445.” Archaeologia Cantiana, V 132.
(2002) 316.
[2] Boehmer,
George, H. “Prehistoric Naval
Architecture of the North of Europe.” Report
of the U. S. National Museum for the Year Ending June 30, 1891, 527 - 643 @
551. Citing .Nenii Histor. Briton., Ed. San Marte, §31. The word for longboat used in this account,
place and time, was "ciuliae."
[3]
Wheaten, 318, citing British Library, Cotton MSS Vespasian, A 5, 67.
- The King's Esnecce. January 13, 2019. “It comes as no surprise, then, that when Maud’s son, Henry Plantagenet, Count or Duke of most of the western territories of France, and, by terms of the treaty, heir to Stephen, next rose to the throne as Henry II, he was quick to arrange for the safest possible means of transit across the channel.”
- Connections: Henry II, Toulouse, 1159. November 27, 2018. “Once he became Chancellor, Becket never looked back. He abandoned his duties as Archdeacon and preaching duties attached to his other positions. He outfitted a lavish household and lived like a secular lord.”
- Did Shake-speare Die of a Stroke? August 03, 2014. "In October of 1601 De Vere begins to complain of his health again in letters to his brother-in-law, Robert Cecil, who was representing him in certain legal matters at Court."
- Check out the Medieval Topics Article Index for many more articles about this fascinating time.
- Check out the English Renaissance Article Index for many more articles and reviews about this fascinating time.
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