Thomas FitzStephen

The fleet gathered at Barfleur on the Cotentin Peninsula, and a charter Henry issued there is dated November 21st, so the court had been sitting in the port for days.

While they waited, a ship's captain named Thomas Fitz Stephen asked for an audience with the king and offered him a sum of gold for the right to serve the royal family.

Thomas had a pitch, because his father, Stephen Fitzherard, had spent his life as a mariner in the Conqueror's service.

The family story was that Stephen had commanded the very ship that carried William across the Channel in 1066, and Thomas wanted the same honor.

That said, the atmosphere on the ship seems like it resembled a frat party more than anything else, so I don't necessarily doubt Orderic's account.

The King's fleet sailed first, in the first watch of the night, with a south wind behind it.

The white ship was still at the quay, and its passengers started urging Captain Thomas Fitz Stephen to catch the Royal Fleet.

Thomas, who'd been drinking with everyone else, boasted that he'd overtake all of them since the white ship was just that fast.

All is well.

While they're making ready, Henry is approached by a man called Thomas Fitz Stephen, who is the son of the man that Captain William of Conqueror's flagship, the Moorer, for his invasion of England in 1066.

So he now asks Henry, Sire King, I beg you to grant me the same office in Fife.

I have a vessel called the Blanche Neffe, well equipped and manned with 50 skilful mariners.