Reply To: Visit to Mary Rose-query about steering and anchor work

[Susan Rose]

Bridport was the main source of English made ropes in the Middle Ages but the hemp came from Brittany (Oleron); cordage both white and black (tarred) was also imported from the Baltic via Danzig; there was a large rope walk at Sandwich. Windlasses were a routine part of ships’ equipment being mentioned in many surviving inventories. A very small piece of medieval cordage was found in the remnants of the Newport ship. (c. 1450s) Susan Rose