The King's Esnecce as Air Force One

Old Winchelsea city seal.

I. The King's Esnecce
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 12^th 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.

Henry I had granted lands in Bekesbourne, Hastings, as reward there for a second Royal esnecce.  We could call this the royal Air Force Two if it weren’t for the fact that it is not clear that it was ever called  upon for service.  Later charters governing the matter call for it and a crew of 20 men to be ready upon 40 days’ notice.[3]  Still, the Master of the Bekesbourne esnecce was granted feudal tenure over the large estate of that name in lieu of his service.

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[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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