Tudor warship painting goes on display

Part of, and virtually

A historically significant wall painting of a Tudor ship which was inadvertently discovered during the renovation of a Tavistock shop is being shown to the public in interactive form, but only for this week.

Tavistock Heritage Trust has created a display of the image which was uncovered during works to a property in Market Street.

The painting is of a sizeable ship very similar to those depicted on the Anthony Roll, a colourful record of Henry VIII of England’s navy that was made in 1546, towards the end of his reign.

Although only part of the painting survives, clearly visible is the warship’s bow, its multi-decked forecastle, foremast with top castle and part of the ‘waist’ – the open deck between the forecastle and mainmast - and part of the mainmast itself.

The detail of the painting is striking, with the forecastle decorated with crosses of St George.

The painting itself is on the wall of a first-floor chamber, with a moulded-beamed panelled ceiling. This was an extension to an existing late-medieval house and was jettied out over the ground floor into Market Street. A second storey was jettied out above that.

It is thought that the extension dates to the late 15th or first half of the 16th century. The layering of original and later plasterwork suggest that the warship was painted relatively early in the life of the chamber.

Bill Horner, county archaeologist, said: “It may seem odd that a warship should feature in the interior décor of a domestic residence in a landlocked town in the foothills of Dartmoor.

“However, Tavistock was a wealthy merchant town in the 16th century. Half of Devon’s tin production passed through the town and there was a thriving wool trade.

“Moreover, the major port of Plymouth, some 14 miles away down the River Tavy, offered merchants and adventurers ready access to the then known world.”

Councillor Debo Sellis, county councillor for Tavistock and Devon County Council's representative for World Heritage in West Devon said: "I would like to thank Tavistock Heritage Trust for their hard work  and officers in the historic environment team for their support in creating an exhibit that not only does justice to a significant historical discovery but presents the information in such a way that it can be enjoyed by people of all ages.”