Mary Rose

Tudor navy · shipwreck · history

A Tudor warship. The Mary Rose was a carrack, a type of strong sailing ship that belonged to King Henry VIII of England. She was launched in 1511 and served in the English navy for 34 years.

Battle and conflict. The Mary Rose fought in several wars against France, Scotland, and Brittany during her years at sea. She was substantially rebuilt in 1536 to make her stronger and more powerful.

Sank in battle. On July 19, 1545, the Mary Rose led an attack on French invasion ships near the Isle of Wight. Tragically, she sank in the waters off Spithead, taking many crew members down with her.

Raised and discovered. The Mary Rose lay on the ocean floor for hundreds of years before being raised in the 1980s. Today, visitors can see the actual ship in a museum, giving us an amazing window into Tudor life.