Ships of Private Origin in the Mid-Tudor Navy: the Lartigue, the Salamander, the Mary Willoughby, the Bark Aucher and the Galley Blanchard

Abstract

These five ships, not Royal-built nor always in Royal service, illustrate the readiness of the Tudor navy to embrace diversity.  Lartigue was engaged in Franco-Scottish diplomacy and English espionage.  Salamander transported royalty and took part in the Channel battles.  Mary Willoughby, when captured by the Scots, became a successful merchant raider, before being recaptured.  Bark Aucher, named after the enterprising owner, was in the navy for three years, afterwards trading to the Levant and elsewhere. Galley Mermaid, a French prize famously captured in mid-Channel, doubled the navy’s oared vessels, re-igniting a debate as to their utility in northern waters.

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Filed under: Atlantic | Tudors | English Channel | High Middle Ages | North Sea | Mediterranean
Subjects include: Administration | Merchant Marines | Navies | Pirates, Corsairs & Privateers