Rule - The Mary Rose

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Margaret Rule - The Mary Rose.

The Excavation and Raising of Henry VIII's Flagship.

The Mary Rose was commissioned on 22 April 1509, the same year that Henry became king.

She was constructed at Portsmouth Dockyard between 1509-1511 before being taken to London to be fitted out and launched.

She, and her smaller sister ship the Peter Pomegranate, were the first purpose-built warships.

The invention of gun-port lids meant that her heavier guns could be carried low down in her hull, and only the lighter guns were placed higher up on her 'castles'.

This gave her greater stability and more firepower.

Contrary to popular myth, the Mary Rose did not sink on her maiden voyage.

She fought in three wars with France and four with Scotland.

She first saw action as the flagship of the Lord Admiral, and was the largest ship in the fleet at that time.

She also beat all the other ships in a famous race through the Straits of Dover. Admiral Sir Edward Howard said of the Mary Rose: "She is the noblest ship of sail (of any) great ship, at this hour, that I know be in Christendom."

The ship sailed for 34 years.

During that time she was upgraded at least once.

She received new and more powerful bronze guns in 1536.

Tree-ring dating has shown that some of her timbers were altered or replaced at this time.

London 1983. 240 p., Many ill., Hardcover + d.j. In goede staat