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1545: Who Sank the Mary Rose?
The raising of the Mary Rose in 1982 was a remarkable feat of archaeology and her subsequent preservation and display at Portsmouth a triumph of technical skill and imagination. She is more than a relic, however. She has a story to tell, and her sinking in the Solent in 1545, when under attack by the French, and the reasons for it, have intrigued historians for generations. With the benefit of access to her remains, archaeologists have been able to slowly unravel the mystery of her foundering on a calm summer’s day in July 1545.
This new book by one of the country’s leading experts on the Mary Rose contains much that is published for the first time. It has the first full account of the battle in which Henry VIII’s warship was sunk, and tells the stories of the English and French admirals. It examines the design and construction of the ship and how she was used, and develops themes begun when he was earlier commissioned by the Mary Rose Trust to write the multi-volume history of the ship. He shows for the first time conclusively that the French fleet arrived unexpectedly to seize the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth a day later than was once believed, that the many bodies found in the wreck reflect her at action stations, and that the ship had had an extra deck added and was therefore more unstable than was previously thought. Finally, the author makes it clear who was responsible for the loss of the Mary Rose, after describing what happened onboard, deck by deck, in her last moments afloat.
The fascinating revelation will intrigue the general reader as well as the historian and archaeologist and the book is set to become the last word on the career of this most famous of ships.
This new book by one of the country’s leading experts on the Mary Rose contains much that is published for the first time. It has the first full account of the battle in which Henry VIII’s warship was sunk, and tells the stories of the English and French admirals. It examines the design and construction of the ship and how she was used, and develops themes begun when he was earlier commissioned by the Mary Rose Trust to write the multi-volume history of the ship. He shows for the first time conclusively that the French fleet arrived unexpectedly to seize the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth a day later than was once believed, that the many bodies found in the wreck reflect her at action stations, and that the ship had had an extra deck added and was therefore more unstable than was previously thought. Finally, the author makes it clear who was responsible for the loss of the Mary Rose, after describing what happened onboard, deck by deck, in her last moments afloat.
The fascinating revelation will intrigue the general reader as well as the historian and archaeologist and the book is set to become the last word on the career of this most famous of ships.
- GenresTudor PeriodNonfiction
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 24, 2019
On 19 July 1545 Henry VIII's warship "Mary Rose" sank. The wreck of the ship was discovered in 1971 and was raised on 11 October 1982, complete with thousands of artefacts that shed light on the life in Tudor times.
"Mary Rose" is like a Tudor time-capsule and in this new book author and archaeologist Peter Marsden gives a full account of the battle in which Henry VIII's warship was sunk, and tells the stories of the English and French admirals who were involved. Marsden also examines the design and construction of the ship and how she was used. The most interesting part in my view was "Appendix B: Fairly Complete Skeletons From Mary Rose" wherein the author gives a complete list of the skeletons together with their descriptions.
"1545: Who Sank the Mary Rose" is a fascinating glimpse into the past and I highly recommend it to everyone interested in this time period. It may be a wonderful companion if you're visiting the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth where the remains of the ship and its artefacts are on display.
"Mary Rose" is like a Tudor time-capsule and in this new book author and archaeologist Peter Marsden gives a full account of the battle in which Henry VIII's warship was sunk, and tells the stories of the English and French admirals who were involved. Marsden also examines the design and construction of the ship and how she was used. The most interesting part in my view was "Appendix B: Fairly Complete Skeletons From Mary Rose" wherein the author gives a complete list of the skeletons together with their descriptions.
"1545: Who Sank the Mary Rose" is a fascinating glimpse into the past and I highly recommend it to everyone interested in this time period. It may be a wonderful companion if you're visiting the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth where the remains of the ship and its artefacts are on display.
October 26, 2019
On a calm summer day in July of 1545, a battle was being fought in Solent between the Tudor navy and the French navy. Tragedy struck when the Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s flagship, suddenly sank beneath the waves, sending hundreds of men that called the ship home to a watery grave. Many theories on why this particular ship sank have been discussed for centuries, but it was not until the Mary Rose was raised to the surface in 1982 that we start to understand what really happened. Peter Marsden, an expert on the Mary Rose decided that it was finally time to explore the ship thoroughly to explain what or who sank this magnificent ship. All of Marsden’s research is on full display in his remarkable book, “1545: Who Sank The Mary Rose?”
I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books for sending me a copy of this book. Before this book, I knew a little bit about this ship and that it did sink, but I wanted to learn more. This book was jammed packed with incredible details and gave the Mary Rose a new life.
For those who are not familiar with Peter Marsden, he is a professional archeologist and is a founder of the Council for Nautical Archeology as well as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquities. Marsden knew some of the key members of The Mary Rose Trust, whose goal was to bring the Mary Rose to the surface and to tell its story. It is his expertise in nautical archeology that makes Marsden the perfect person to tell the story of this remarkable warship.
In order to understand how significant the sinking of the Mary Rose was at the time, Marsden begins by telling the story of how the French and English navies met at Solent in July 1545, giving a full account of the battle according to the historical records, both on the English and French sides. Marsden follows the admirals, Claud d’ Annebault for France and Sir George Carew for England, to understand why they made the decisions that they did before, during, and after the battle.
The bulk of Marsden’s book is going into meticulous details about the Mary Rose itself. This was absolutely fascinating to read since it gives readers a better understanding of what the ship might have looked like in its heyday. The descriptions are paired beautifully well with detailed diagrams and illustrations so that even novices to Tudor shipbuilding, like myself, can get a picture of what the Tudor navy might have looked like.
Marsden then explores the history of the salvaging of the Mary Rose and how it was not until the 1970s and 1980s when the modern world was able to see the ruins of this once magnificent ship. The modern effort to save and preserve this ship for historical purposes was truly a labor of love for all of those involved. They really took the time and effort that was necessary to protect the ruins of this ship and the remains of those who died tragically when this ship sank centuries ago. As Marsden explains, it is the artifacts and the remains of the men that give hints as to who sank the Mary Rose.
Marsden has written a masterpiece that explores this remarkable vessel. He is scrupulous in the details that will delight experts and novices of nautical archeology alike, yet his writing style makes you feel like you are watching a movie. This book is an absolute triumph and it brings a fresh perspective into the sinking of Henry VIII’s flagship. If you are interested in learning more about the story of this remarkable ship and the Tudor navy, I highly recommend you read Peter Marsden’s book, “1545: Who Sank The Mary Rose?”
I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books for sending me a copy of this book. Before this book, I knew a little bit about this ship and that it did sink, but I wanted to learn more. This book was jammed packed with incredible details and gave the Mary Rose a new life.
For those who are not familiar with Peter Marsden, he is a professional archeologist and is a founder of the Council for Nautical Archeology as well as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquities. Marsden knew some of the key members of The Mary Rose Trust, whose goal was to bring the Mary Rose to the surface and to tell its story. It is his expertise in nautical archeology that makes Marsden the perfect person to tell the story of this remarkable warship.
In order to understand how significant the sinking of the Mary Rose was at the time, Marsden begins by telling the story of how the French and English navies met at Solent in July 1545, giving a full account of the battle according to the historical records, both on the English and French sides. Marsden follows the admirals, Claud d’ Annebault for France and Sir George Carew for England, to understand why they made the decisions that they did before, during, and after the battle.
The bulk of Marsden’s book is going into meticulous details about the Mary Rose itself. This was absolutely fascinating to read since it gives readers a better understanding of what the ship might have looked like in its heyday. The descriptions are paired beautifully well with detailed diagrams and illustrations so that even novices to Tudor shipbuilding, like myself, can get a picture of what the Tudor navy might have looked like.
Marsden then explores the history of the salvaging of the Mary Rose and how it was not until the 1970s and 1980s when the modern world was able to see the ruins of this once magnificent ship. The modern effort to save and preserve this ship for historical purposes was truly a labor of love for all of those involved. They really took the time and effort that was necessary to protect the ruins of this ship and the remains of those who died tragically when this ship sank centuries ago. As Marsden explains, it is the artifacts and the remains of the men that give hints as to who sank the Mary Rose.
Marsden has written a masterpiece that explores this remarkable vessel. He is scrupulous in the details that will delight experts and novices of nautical archeology alike, yet his writing style makes you feel like you are watching a movie. This book is an absolute triumph and it brings a fresh perspective into the sinking of Henry VIII’s flagship. If you are interested in learning more about the story of this remarkable ship and the Tudor navy, I highly recommend you read Peter Marsden’s book, “1545: Who Sank The Mary Rose?”
November 1, 2024
A fascinating resource, well worth picking up if at all interested in the Mary Rose or the early Tudor period.
January 19, 2020
This lavishly produced book has several stories to tell. The first relates the history of the ship itself, from design and build to its tragic end. Next is the story of the wreck and recovery. Then there is an archaeological reconstruction of the decks and various places of the ship, with a complete description of where and what artifacts and bodies were found within the sunken ship.
Having been unfamiliar with the ship’s history prior to the sinking, I was surprised to read the Mary Rose was part of a fleet that attacked Boulogne, France, in 1512. Within a few years the ship was placed in ordinary, meaning she was stripped of masts, sails, and guns until the vessel was needed again.
In 1535 the Mary Rose was modernized. “Her bow and stern ends were completely rebuilt,” (55) and the keel was lengthened to support a vessel of 700-800 tons, an increase of 200-300 tons. Her hull and deck supports were also strengthened before adding more cannons to her armament.
“In 1514, the Mary Rose had five anti-ship guns, seven smaller ones, and many anti-personnel weapons, whereas in 1545 she had twenty-six anti-ship guns, 12 smaller guns, and fifty-three anti-personnel guns.” (63) The addition of twenty-one cannons weighing hundreds of pounds each and positioning them throughout the ship drastically altered the ship’s balance and increased her draft – making the hull sit deeper in the water.
Tensions between England and France flared up again in the 1540s. On July 19, 1545, a French fleet sailed past the Isle of Wight and was surprised to find the English fleet at anchor. The French admiral ordered his galleys to launch an attack. The Battle of the Solent had begun.
One of the anchored ships was the Mary Rose. Her crew hurried to raise sails and prepare for action. Once underway, the gunports were opened and the cannons were loaded and run out.
As the Mary Rose neared the galleys, a gust of wind caused the ship to heel further to starboard. With only sixteen inches between the waterline and the bottom of the gunports, the extra heeling action caused ocean water to pour into the lower deck. The weight of the water continued the unbalanced ship’s tilt and the vessel capsized, sinking in minutes.
Within a year of the sinking, a mostly unsuccessful attempt was made to salvage some of the guns. In 1782 the Royal George sank nearby. In 1836 John Deane used a primitive diving bell to explore that ship. He recorded the positions of the sunken Royal George and the Mary Rose on a chart of the area, which was tucked away along with other records of the Royal Navy. A diving historian found the chart in 1966 and rediscovered the location of the Mary Rose.
The story of the ship’s recovery includes careful planning from the first attempts to locate the wreck through careful underwater examination and documentation. Before they could recover the ship, the British Parliament and royal family had to become involved. The group of historians and archaeologists studying the wreck also had to determine how to tell her story. They founded the Mary Rose Trust to help carry out their plan. In 2013 the Mary Rose Museum opened to the public.
Six chapters of this book are devoted to describing all the different decks and spaces of the Mary Rose, including where every artifact was found and what happened in the space during the ship’s sinking. Along with that information, there is also a description of where the remains of each person were found and what the bones and artifacts present reveal about the people, such as age and any signs of wear and tear from the harsh life of a sailor.
Use of glossy paper enhances the many color illustrations and diagrams found throughout the book. A very readable text is enriched with end notes, a bibliography, and two appendices, one on the ship’s components and another on the locations and conditions of crewmembers who went down with the vessel.
There is a wealth of knowledge in this book from building wooden warships, early sea battles, European history and archaeology to naval administration and anatomy. Together they tell a fascinating story of one special ship and the crew that manned her.
This review appeared first on Cindy Vallar's Pirates and Privateers website.
Having been unfamiliar with the ship’s history prior to the sinking, I was surprised to read the Mary Rose was part of a fleet that attacked Boulogne, France, in 1512. Within a few years the ship was placed in ordinary, meaning she was stripped of masts, sails, and guns until the vessel was needed again.
In 1535 the Mary Rose was modernized. “Her bow and stern ends were completely rebuilt,” (55) and the keel was lengthened to support a vessel of 700-800 tons, an increase of 200-300 tons. Her hull and deck supports were also strengthened before adding more cannons to her armament.
“In 1514, the Mary Rose had five anti-ship guns, seven smaller ones, and many anti-personnel weapons, whereas in 1545 she had twenty-six anti-ship guns, 12 smaller guns, and fifty-three anti-personnel guns.” (63) The addition of twenty-one cannons weighing hundreds of pounds each and positioning them throughout the ship drastically altered the ship’s balance and increased her draft – making the hull sit deeper in the water.
Tensions between England and France flared up again in the 1540s. On July 19, 1545, a French fleet sailed past the Isle of Wight and was surprised to find the English fleet at anchor. The French admiral ordered his galleys to launch an attack. The Battle of the Solent had begun.
One of the anchored ships was the Mary Rose. Her crew hurried to raise sails and prepare for action. Once underway, the gunports were opened and the cannons were loaded and run out.
As the Mary Rose neared the galleys, a gust of wind caused the ship to heel further to starboard. With only sixteen inches between the waterline and the bottom of the gunports, the extra heeling action caused ocean water to pour into the lower deck. The weight of the water continued the unbalanced ship’s tilt and the vessel capsized, sinking in minutes.
Within a year of the sinking, a mostly unsuccessful attempt was made to salvage some of the guns. In 1782 the Royal George sank nearby. In 1836 John Deane used a primitive diving bell to explore that ship. He recorded the positions of the sunken Royal George and the Mary Rose on a chart of the area, which was tucked away along with other records of the Royal Navy. A diving historian found the chart in 1966 and rediscovered the location of the Mary Rose.
The story of the ship’s recovery includes careful planning from the first attempts to locate the wreck through careful underwater examination and documentation. Before they could recover the ship, the British Parliament and royal family had to become involved. The group of historians and archaeologists studying the wreck also had to determine how to tell her story. They founded the Mary Rose Trust to help carry out their plan. In 2013 the Mary Rose Museum opened to the public.
Six chapters of this book are devoted to describing all the different decks and spaces of the Mary Rose, including where every artifact was found and what happened in the space during the ship’s sinking. Along with that information, there is also a description of where the remains of each person were found and what the bones and artifacts present reveal about the people, such as age and any signs of wear and tear from the harsh life of a sailor.
Use of glossy paper enhances the many color illustrations and diagrams found throughout the book. A very readable text is enriched with end notes, a bibliography, and two appendices, one on the ship’s components and another on the locations and conditions of crewmembers who went down with the vessel.
There is a wealth of knowledge in this book from building wooden warships, early sea battles, European history and archaeology to naval administration and anatomy. Together they tell a fascinating story of one special ship and the crew that manned her.
This review appeared first on Cindy Vallar's Pirates and Privateers website.
August 22, 2020
Thanks to Pen & Sword for the chance to read and review this book, and I'm sorry it's taken so long to get around to doing it.
I found this book really interesting. There were so many different parts to it. I've never been to the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, though my parents have, and it's somewhere that I do really want to go. I've devoured the guidebook they bought me back, and this book only made me more interested in it and crave a visit even more.
What I found really interesting was the central idea of the book that Henry VIII was responsible for the sinking of the ship the Mary Rose in 1545 because he was determined to have a hand in the redesign of his existing ships around 1536. He filled the Mary Rose with too many guns and her gun ports were too close to the waterline, so when she turned and caught an unexpected gust of wind she heeled over and sank.
The book doesn't just look at who sank the Mary Rose, but the history of the ship from its beginnings at the start of Henry VIII's reign right through to when she sank outside Portsmouth Harbour at the end of Henry VIII's reign. There are also chapters on the salvage efforts, which I didn't realise began within weeks of the sinking, as well as the lead up to the sinking, reconstructing the ship, and the ship's legacy.
This is a great read for anyone with an interest in Tudor history or naval history. It's a really interesting subject and one which deserves more to be written about it.
I found this book really interesting. There were so many different parts to it. I've never been to the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, though my parents have, and it's somewhere that I do really want to go. I've devoured the guidebook they bought me back, and this book only made me more interested in it and crave a visit even more.
What I found really interesting was the central idea of the book that Henry VIII was responsible for the sinking of the ship the Mary Rose in 1545 because he was determined to have a hand in the redesign of his existing ships around 1536. He filled the Mary Rose with too many guns and her gun ports were too close to the waterline, so when she turned and caught an unexpected gust of wind she heeled over and sank.
The book doesn't just look at who sank the Mary Rose, but the history of the ship from its beginnings at the start of Henry VIII's reign right through to when she sank outside Portsmouth Harbour at the end of Henry VIII's reign. There are also chapters on the salvage efforts, which I didn't realise began within weeks of the sinking, as well as the lead up to the sinking, reconstructing the ship, and the ship's legacy.
This is a great read for anyone with an interest in Tudor history or naval history. It's a really interesting subject and one which deserves more to be written about it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews