Armament - Page 1 of 9
It is perhaps easy to forget
that this beautiful ship was in reality a high-tech war machine.
Like the warships of today she was equipped with an integrated
weapons system carried in a purpose designed hull. The Mary Rose was designed purely
as a warship, she had no trading function and there are no records
of her ever taking part in trading voyages.
Her complement and equipment show that she could fulfil a number of roles, she could fight at sea, take part in shore bombardment, or use the troops carried on board as marines. Earlier ships with their clinker planked hulls would have been very difficult to equip with watertight gun-ports. These gun-ports allowed the Mary Rose to carry heavy guns on her main deck, closer to the waterline, maintaining her stability with increased firepower.
While the heavy guns provided the ship-smashing and shore bombardment power, the Mary Rose also carried a variety of weapons for use at closer quarters. These ranged from swivel guns and handguns to longbows and the ballock knives carried by individuals on board the ship.
The weapons carried on board the ship are an interesting mixture of the latest technology, for instance the cast bronze guns, and weapons of a much older design, like the longbows and the wrought iron guns.
The Mary Rose was a devastating opponent, in the battle off the French port of Brest in 1512 she crippled the enemy flagship, and is said to have brought down her mainmast with a single shot. The design and armament of the Mary Rose made her a true precursor of the ship of the line, and Henry VIII may perhaps be justifiably considered to be the father of the British Navy.
Here are two inventories of the armament of the Mary Rose, one from 1514 and one from the Anthony Roll.
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