Posts Tagged ‘giant Great Ship’
HMS Sovereign of the Seas was ordered in August 1634 at the whim of Charles I of England, who desired a giant Great Ship to be built. The decision brought on a lot of opposition from the Brethren of Trinity House. They were eager to point out that "There is no port in the Kingdome that can harbor this ship".
The wild sea must be her port; her anchors and cables will keep hold her safety. So if either fail, the ship must perish, the King will lose his jewel, four or five hundred man must die, and maybe some great and noble peer.
The King overcame the objections with the help of John Pennington and beginning May 1635 she was built by Peter Pett. Built under the guidance of his father Phineas, the kings master shipwright. The HMS Sovereign of the Seas was launched at Woolwich Dockyard on Oct 13. 1637. Peter Pett later became a Commissioner of the Navy.
HMS Sovereign of the Seas the most extravagantly decorated warship of the Royal Navy. She was adorned from bow to stern with gilded carvings against black background by John and Mathias Christmas from a design of Anthony Van Dyke. All the money spent on her created a financial crisis for Charles I and contributed to the English Civil War.
The Sovereign of the Seas was not so much built because of tactical considerations, but as a deliberate attempt to bolster the reputation of the English crown. Her name was in itself a political statement as Charles tried to revive the perceived ancient right of the English kings to be recognized as the 'lords of the seas.'
A model of HMS Sovereign of the Seas would make a great addition to any ones collection. We have located a few that just might fit in your collection.
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US $2,498.00
