A comprehensive look at the letters, documents and contemporary accounts of the Mary Rose - both in her prime and after she was lost.

The raising of the Mary Rose has made her one of the most famous ships in history, but what was she actually like in her heyday? This book, based around letters from her days of active service, brings the Mary Rose vividly to life.

The letters give an extended flavour of what it was like to serve on her, or to be involved with her supply and maintenance, between her launch in 1511 and that fateful day in 1545. Most of them were written aboard the ship by the commanding admirals and many details are revealed about her day-to-day operation at sea and the various engagements in which she was involved.

Also included are the main contemporary accounts of the sinking, including a conversation with one of the few survivors. Forty years on from being raised from the seabed and to a new life as a premier visitor attraction, the documents and images presented here allow the reader to experience life on the seas hundreds of years ago.