Henry VIII’s Gun Shield: Arming the Mary Rose

Join us as we delve into the world of Tudor warfare at sea and explore the creation and function of Tudor gun-shields. Hear about this little known innovation that was right at the cutting edge of technology during Henry VIII's reign, get up close and personal with a replica gun shield and hear from our fantastic experts on exactly what the gun shields were intended for, their extraordinary design and their ultimate shortcomings.

In this evening event, The King's Armourer Simon Metcalf will be joined by Dr Alex Hildred, Head of Research and Curator of Ordnance and Human Remains at the Mary Rose Trust and Andrew Braund, armourer specialising in conservation and restoration. Our experts will discuss how the discovery of gun shields made during the excavation of the Mary Rose, informed by recent research, conservation and collaboration, has informed our current understanding of how gun shields such as those on display in the exhibition were intended to be used during Tudor warfare. 

The discussion will be followed by an opportunity for guests to view the exhibition and your ticket will also include a glass of wine or soft drink to enjoy while you explore the gallery. Andrew will also be bringing the replica gun shield which he has built based on those within the Mary Rose’s collection and the Royal Collection Trust which guests will have the opportunity to see up close, handle and ask any questions about after the event.

Your ticket will also include a 1-Year Pass, allowing you to visit our current and future exhibitions at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace as many times as you like within the next year. See here for more information about the 1-Year Pass.