The Mary Rose

While my partner and I were at a wedding in Portsmouth, we took the opportunity to check out some of the sights the city has to offer.

The Ship's Bell.

I'd never been to the historic Dockyard, so I suggested we go see the new Mary Rose Museum.

The preserved hull

I remember following the Mary Rose as it was raised from the seabed back in 1982. It has taken thirty-four years for the ship to dry out and become preserved in its current state. The new museum opened in 2017.

One of the cannons.

The Museum is on four floors and explores some of the thousands of artifacts brought up from the sea bed and preserved. It gives a unique perspective into Tudor life aboard a warship.

Longbow 'staves' and arrows.

The Mary Rose was armed with a mix of 'modern' breachloading and muzzle loading cannons (the muzzle loaders had a superor range), plus a contingent of archers and marines with bills for boarding.

A surprising amount of the ship did survive, including parts of leather and metal armour.

Remains of leather armour.

It was interesting to learn something of the brave men who lived and died aboard the Mary Rose. Facial reconstructions were done on a few of the skeletons found, so you get to 'see' them as they would have been alive and in period dress.

While the Mary Rose is quite expensive to visit (at £16.00 per adult), it is worth the entry fee for the vast amount you get to see. You can also return for free within a year of your first visit for free.