The Mary Rose Museum is displaying the newly unveiled facial reconstruction of the man who could have been responsible for sinking the Mary Rose and has been making national headlines this week.
The head of the Bosun has been modelled by the internationally renowned forensic artist Richard Neave and two of his colleagues, from a skull recovered from the wreck. Evidence suggests the ship put about with its gunports open, was hit by a squall and sank like a stone. Ensuring that the gunports were closed would have been the Bosun''s job.
The Bosun''s skull is typical of the preservation of the collection, providing a window into everyday Tudor life: the historian David Starkey has called the Mary Rose "England''s Pompeii".
Visitors to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard can also enjoy spending time with the family this February half-term, by ‘taking the challenge’ in activities and pastimes that will test their survival and code breaking skills and by participating in games with a Tudor twist.
The family friendly programme of activities includes both free drop in workshops and activities that are free with a valid Historic Dockyard ticket and this year sees the launch of some brand new ventures.
A dedicated family activity area will be opening for the first time this half-term on board HMS Warrior 1860. Visitors can bring their ‘young sailors’ for costumed role-play, toys, games and colouring in the ship’s Gun Room.
Warrior will also be encouraging visitors to ‘Follow the Flag’ as they discover more about the men who lived and worked on board as well as cracking and creating codes using semaphore.
The National Museum of the Royal Navy, (Royal Naval Museum), will be taking to the road for the first time during a school holiday, as it takes the lead in the Sea Life Roadshow at Buckland Community Centre. The day will include arts and crafts, storytelling, object-handling and a variety of other activities.
For all those intrepid explorers there is also an opportunity to get prepared for an adventure to the Pole by discovering some survival tips and making Arctic explorers kits at the National Museum of the Royal Navy.
Tudor Games and Pastimes will be the theme at the Mary Rose Museum and families will have the chance to challenge each other to discover how Tudor entertainment compares to today.
Further information about the extensive events programme can be viewed at www.historicdockyard.co.uk/events or on 023 9272 8060.
