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On November 25 1120, the ‘White Ship’ sank in the English Channel. It was carrying a number of English nobles, and crucially the only legitimate heir to English King Henry I, William Adelin (1103-1120). Stephen, who would become King after Henry, had been supposed to board the vessel also, but did not. Why?

Answer: He was suffering from diarrhoea. That diarrhoea saved him from near certain death and consequently helped him become King.

Source: Henry I by Judith A. Green

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