The men of the Mary Rose – may they rest in peace

The coffin was designed by Julian Litten, a former Curator of Victoria and Albert Museum. It was built by Michael Spreadborough, a retired Royal Navy shipwright and craftsman of the Cathedral. Made from Hampshire oak, the bones were laid on a bed of dried New Forest leaves and an inch of dried moss.

The coffin lay overnight in the Cathedral, guarded by members of the Royal Navy. The service, conducted the following day, was carefully prepared by Provost David Stancliffe as a requiem according to the Sarum Rite – a form of mass used after Henry VIII’s break with Rome. It is likely that this form of worship would have been familiar to the crewman in his own time. Even the vestments worn by the clergy resembled those from 16th Century, generously loaned by the Cathedral of the Advent, Birmingham, Alabama, USA for the service.

The interment followed more contemporary ceremonial practices.  Towards the close of the service, the congregation was invited to place sprigs of rosemary on the coffin as a symbol of remembrance, before the stone was laid over. The engraved Welsh slate, inscribed by West Sussex sculptor, John Skelton, reads:

“The King’s ship Mary Rose was lost in the Solent on 19th July 1545

and was recovered on the 11th October 1982

Here lies a Member of the Ship’s company of the Mary Rose

May they rest in Peace

19th July 1984”

The tomb sits at the heart of the Cathedral’s Navy Aisle, surrounded by memorials honouring those whose legacies are closely tied to Royal Navy and the United Kingdom’s maritime heritage.

Every year, on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the sinking, the Mary Rose Trust lays a commemorative wreath on the tomb of the unknown sailor during a special service at the Cathedral. This year’s act of remembrance will be taking place on Sunday 13^th July.

More details can be found here – https://portsmouthcathedral.churchsuite.com/events/5he67wyy.