If you can’t make the trip to Portsmouth to see The Mary Rose, the next best thing is to borrow one of the museum’s Seamen’s Chests, which bring the world of 16th-century naval warfare to life. Each chest contains real or replica artefacts representing the possessions of crew members. A bleeding bowl recalls the harsh tasks of a barber surgeon; wrist guards and arrow spacers the aggressive military duties of an archer. Items that aren’t so grim include sand-glasses for measuring the ship’s speed and a peppermill from the cook’s galley.

Tel: 02392 750521 Email: maryrose@cix.co.uk

www.maryrose.org