In conversation with …Alexzandra Hildred, Mary Rose Trust
04 Sep 2025
Henry VIII’s MARY ROSE – Excavation to Exhibition
On a summer’s afternoon in July 1545, the MARY ROSE, one of the largest and heavily armed of Henry VIII’s great ships, heeled to starboard and sank. As the King watched from his encampment on Southsea Common, scarcely a mile distant, he could not have realised what an unparalleled insight into his life and times this catastrophe would ensure. MARY ROSE represents both a living community and a state-of-the-art fighting machine, fully manned and equipped for war. A 34-year old veteran, built in Portsmouth, she sank whilst engaging a French invasion fleet larger than the Spanish Armada 43 years later.
To date no marine archaeological excavation has attained the scale of the MARY ROSE project, nor captured the imagination of the public so completely. The conditions of her burial ensure that her historical treasures provide a unique and vivid impression of life at sea nearly half a millennium ago.
In the September instalment of our “In conversation with…” evening talks, Alexzandra Hildred, maritime archaeologist and Head of Research for the Mary Rose Trust, will chart the journey of the ship from her sinking through her excavation, preservation and presentation to the public as the centrepiece of a purpose –built museum which wraps around the ship to protect her and her treasures for future generations.
The evening will be compered by Nick Ball, Collections, Galleries and Interpretation at the Historic Dockyard, and there will be a question and answer session following the conversation.
Our talks are FREE to attend (you do not need a Dockyard admission ticket) but spaces are limited. Tickets must be booked in advance.
| Date | Thursday 4 September 2025 |
| Time | Arrival from 6.30pm for a 7pm start. The Mess Deck will be open for drinks and snacks prior to the talk |
| Location | The Mess Deck Restaurant at The Historic Dockyard Chatham |
| Cost | Talks are free to attend but we ask that you book in advance |
ABOUT ALEXZANDRA HILDRED BA DSc DLitt MCIFA FSA
Alex joined the Mary Rose Trust in 1979 as a diving archaeologist and is responsible for on -going site monitoring and excavation. Since1983 she been part of a small team evolving and delivering displays within the Mary Rose Museums. Her specific research areas include armaments and Human Remains.
