Hurstbourne Tarrant Historical Society: “The Mary Rose – Alan Turton”

Monday 8th April, 7.45pm in the Community Centre

All

The Mary Rose – The Flower of the King’s Ships – was rediscovered on the seabed in the 1960s, but it was not until 1982 that the ship’s hull was raised, using a special air-cushioned cradle. It was the most ambitious maritime archaeological project ever undertaken. There is a lot of speculation about how she was lost. The latest theory is that she was damaged by French gun fire, but whether that caused her loss or whether she had recently been structurally altered and there was a weak point in her, which left her unable to take a bit of battering, nobody knows.

Over 400 men were on board the Mary Rose when it sank – many of them had not learnt to swim for superstitious reasons. Alan will present the story of Henry VIII's favourite warship from her building, loss, rediscovery and recovery, and her second life as a world-class museum display. The talk will give glimpses into the everyday lives of the men who formed her crew.

Alan Turton is a military historian, who specialises in the English Civil War and has been giving talks about the Mary Rose since 1980. He is an official volunteer presenter for the Mary Rose Information Group. From 1987-2011 Alan was the curator of the English Civil War site of Basing House.

Visitors are most welcome to join us (£3.00). Please pass on this email to others who may be interested in attending.

Best Wishes

Dr Andy Watson

Chairman, Hurstbourne Tarrant Historical Society

01264 736459

www.hbthistoricalsociety.org.uk