On Monday 2 March 2026, local historian Andy Skinner will lead a talk at Tudor House & Garden in Southampton, Hampshire, to reveal the deep historical connections between the house and the famous Mary Rose warship. The event is designed to give residents a clearer look at the city’s seafaring past and how local people were involved with King Henry VIII’s flagship.
The session, which runs from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, focuses on how a former resident of the house played a major role in the ship’s history. John Dawtrey, who once lived at Tudor House & Garden, was the Collector of the King’s Customs and was responsible for overseeing the building and the food supplies for the Mary Rose.
Andy Skinner, the Learning and Engagement Officer for the city’s cultural services, will also discuss a specific Tudor-era cannon kept at the house. This large gun, known as a demi-culverin, provides a physical link to the types of weapons found on the wreckage of the ship and helps explain the naval technology of the time.
Attendees will also learn about the aftermath of the ship’s sinking in 1545, when experts based in Southampton were hired to try and recover it. These salvage operators, Petre de Andreas and Symone de Maryne, led the early and difficult efforts to bring the Mary Rose back to the surface.
This event is part of a series of talks designed to make local history more accessible to the community. It aims to show how Southampton served as a vital naval hub during the 16th century, connecting local landmarks to well-known national events.
