Sovereign of the Seas — 1637 English Warship Model, Large | Admiral Line
Sovereign of the Seas — 1637 English Warship Model, Large | Admiral Line
Model details
- Materials
- Mahogany, Western red cedar, Rosewood, Brass, Linen sails
- Construction
- Plank-on-frame, built by hand
- Condition
- Fully assembled, ready to display
- Display
- Wooden base with brass nameplate
- Collection
- Tall Ship Models - Admiral Line
- Item no.
- T077
Scale is what this particular ship rewards. Sovereign of the Seas was covered stem to stern in carved and gilded work, and a larger hull is the only way that ornament stops being suggestion and becomes something you can actually examine.
Construction
- Large plank-on-frame hull in western red cedar, rosewood and mahogany
- Three gun decks, individually fitted cast cannon, carved gunport wreaths
- Deep-carved and gilded stern gallery, quarter galleries, beakhead and figurehead
- Three masts and bowsprit, full hand-knotted standing and running rigging with ratlines
- Hand-stitched linen sails on every yard
- Ship's boats, capstan, wheel, gratings, ladders and rails
- Metal anchors and wooden rudder
- Solid wood base and engraved brass nameplate
- Fully assembled
History
Charles I wanted a ship that would announce English claims to the seas around Britain, and Peter Pett gave him one: 102 guns, launched at Woolwich in 1637, more gold leaf than any vessel before or since. The Ship Money levied to pay for her was raised without Parliament and became one of the grievances that led to the Civil War. The Dutch named her the Golden Devil. She served until 1697, when a cook's candle ended her.