The Peter Pomegranate

Sister ship of the Mary Rose

When the Mary Rose was built in 1510, she wasn't built on her own. A second, smaller ship was commissioned at the same time...

“Right worshipful sir, I heartily recommend me unto you, [...] furthermore desiring your mastership that for the indenture of parchment that I delivered unto you there may be made another new, extending to the whole sum of money as it specifieth of bearing the date and time according; but whereas it specifieth several sums of money, so much [...] to the Mary Rose and Peter Pomegranate [...]

Written at Woolwich, the 9th day of the month of June
By your own Robert Brigandine, Clerk of Ships”

Built in 1510 in Portsmouth, The Peter Pomegranate was a 300 ton carrack, enlarged to 600 tonnes in 1536, presumably at the same time as her sister's refit.

Her name probably comes from St Peter and the Pomegranate, which as well as having symbolic links to St Peter, much as the Rose had links with the Virgin Mary, was also the emblem of the House of Aragon, the king’s in-laws when the ship was built. Of course, when Henry VIII divorced Catherine of Aragon, he changed the name of the ship to just “Peter”.

We’re not sure of the fate of the Peter Pomegranate; other than taking part in action against the Scots in 1547, her last appearance in records is just a mention in 1558.

Built in 1510 in Portsmouth, The Peter Pomegranate was a 300 ton carrack, enlarged to 600 tonnes in 1536, presumably at the same time as her sister's refit.

We’re not sure of the fate of the Peter Pomegranate; other than taking part in action against the Scots in 1547, her last appearance in records is just a mention in 1558.

A list of her armaments in 1545 can be found in the Anthony Roll, which also features the Mary Rose and the rest of the Kings fleet.