The Mary Rose, a magnificent carrack-type warship, proudly served as a stalwart vessel within the English Tudor navy under the reign of King Henry VIII. Throughout its illustrious 33-year service, this formidable ship courageously faced the perils of numerous conflicts against France, Scotland, and Brittany.
However, it was on that fateful day, July 19th, 1545, that the Mary Rose led a daring assault against an encroaching French fleet, only to meet a tragic fate in the treacherous waters north of the Isle of Wight. The exact cause of its sinking remains an enigma that continues to intrigue historians and maritime enthusiasts alike, leaving the story of the Mary Rose forever shrouded in mystery.
Joan of Arc
From peasant poverty to being canonized as a Saint by the Roman Catholic church, Joan of Arc is a historical icon. Not to mention the fact that there might not be a woman more revered by the French people than her. Throughout her short life, Joan allegedly heard voices.
She believed that God has given her the responsibility to ensure that Charles VII of France ascended to the throne to save France. After convincing Charles to allow her to do so, Joan led the French army to victory over England in the city of Orléans. Did we mention this was all at the tender age of 17!
Joan In Disguise
At the tender age of 19, Joan's valiant journey took a tragic turn when she was ultimately seized by the Burgundian army. Accused of witchcraft and heresy, she faced a harrowing trial that ended in her agonizing execution by being burned at the stake. However, history would eventually right the profound injustice inflicted upon her.
In 1920, her conviction was rightfully overturned, and Joan of Arc was posthumously bestowed the honor of sainthood, becoming a revered Saint in the eyes of the faithful. A striking wax figure now stands as a testament to her indomitable spirit, featuring her iconic cropped hair and donning armor.
The Face of an Archer
500 years after drowning aboard Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose, scientists have been able to give us a glimpse of the legendary ship’s archer. His work as an archer had severely damaged his shoulder joints, twisted his spine, and caused grooves to appear inside of his right finger bone. The archer was taller than most of the crew at 5ft 10in and had especially strong legs.
A strong body was essential for an archer at the time because the 16th-century longbow had a draw of up to 90kg. The man’s skull was scanned by laser to create an exact replica using a 3D printer. It was then sent to forensic expert Oscar Nilsson, who specializes in reconstructing the faces of unidentified bodies for police investigations. Nilsson then built up the archer’s face to create the final image.
Marie Antoinette
Perhaps Marie Antoinette, the ill-fated French queen, is best known for a phrase she never actually said ("let them eat cake") and for losing her head. Once you learn that Marie Antoinette was crowned the Dauphine of France at the very young age of 19, her misguided spending habits become a little more understandable.
The French Revolution ushered in an era of seismic political and social shifts that ensured that Marie Antoinette was certainly the last queen of France. Tragically, she was executed in 1793 at Place de la Concorde, which is now a popular tourist attraction in Paris, France.