April 16 – The Mary Rose’s first tour of duty

On this day in Tudor history, 16th April 1512, Henry VIII’s warship, The Mary Rose, began her first tour of duty in the English Channel on the hunt for French warships.

Here are some facts about The Mary Rose:

• The Mary Rose served her king for 34 years.
• She fought against France in 1512 in the Battle of Saint-Mathieu.
• She was part of England’s victory at Flodden in 1513 as the troop transport ship.
• She was chosen as the flagship in skirmishes against France in the 1520s.
• Sadly, she sank in the Battle of the Solent on 19th July 1545.
• Over 400 men went down with her.
• She was raised in 1982 and can be seen at the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth.

Find out more about the Mary Rose in these videos:

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