Before the Mast: Life and Death Aboard the Mary Rose

by Julie Gardiner (Editor), Michael J. Allen (Editor)

The Mary Rose, King Henry VIII's flagship, carried a crew of naval officers and sailors, a fighting force of gunners and soldiers, a barber-surgeon, several ship's carpenters and skilled navigators. Of nearly 500 men, fewer than 40 survived the sinking on 19th July 1545. Trapped by netting, or below deck, they stood little chance, and their bodies and belongings went to the bottom of the sea. In 1982, amidst huge publicity, an expert crew of archaeologists and conservators raised the wreck and started a process of research that has now revealed fascinating details of life aboard the Tudor warship. Excavation of the hull and contents produced a huge collection of objects that together make up a detailed picture of life aboard the warship. Before the Mast explores how the men of the Mary Rose lived, through their surviving possessions; how they were fed; their music and recreation, medicine and provision for illness and injury, as well as working practices: carpentry and maintenance, stowage, navigation and ship's communications. The volume also includes an analysis of the human remains providing evidence for the stature and age range of the men, most were under 30, their health and injuries sustained.

Genres: History, Maritime

2 pages, Hardcover

First published February 3, 2006

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this book could be given 6 or more stars it would have them. There is simply no praise high enough for this book for the reenactor or serious scholar or student of Tudor history. The only possible improvement I can think of would be a catalogue (as was done for 'Weapons of Warre', the last volume of this series) of finds, with more pictures. Outstanding.

[Allison Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got it for the surviving garments but stayed for the forensic anthropology. Fantastic

[Joe Heasley]

Very good source of the day to day material items used on board th Mary Rose.