Heartstone by C. J. Sansom (My Goodreads Review)

Heartstone by C.J. Sansom

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so looking forward to this Matthew Shardlake story. C. J. Sansom always finds a way of entwining the hunchback lawyer into the historical events of King Henry VIII's time. 

In the last story, the clever and modest lawman earnt great favour by his help to Catherine Parr. In this new story, Catherine Parr is now queen. She once again calls upon Matthew's help. 

This time the trusted lawyer and his companion Barak go on a crime adventure that takes them to Portsmouth and the surrounding area. It is 1545 and the French are about to invade England. Amid the clamour and preparation for war, the steadfast lawyer and Barak seek to find answers to a young man's wardship. 

Also answers to a young ladies confinement in Bedlam. She was in the previous story.

I knew that the events of the Mary Rose and the Battle of the Solent were going to be the decisive backdrop for this 5th novel. I have always had a fascination for the ship and went to see the raised hull in Portsmouth navel museum a few years back. 

Therefore, the whole story came to a fabulous climax as Matthew pursues his quest against all odds with familiar dastardly scoundrels of court and new ones to boot. A rip-roaring tale of Tudor England.

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The Mary Rose Meets a Ghastly Demise.

The Mary Rose Meets a Ghastly Demise.

There could have been as many as 700 men aboard the Mary Rose as the renovated ship sailed forth to battle against the French in 1545 during the reign of King Henry VIII. This was the Battle of the Solent and the French were attempting to invade England. 

The much-loved ship was over 30 years of age. She had been built at the beginning of Henry VIII's reign. She was the pride of the English navy and had seen much service during her 30 plus years.

A renovation programme to modernize her was embarked upon. Many believe the work contributed to the disaster that would make Mary Rose famous. Also for every ten fighting men aboard the ship, one could add an extra tonne in weight. With the upper decks crammed with soldiers, many below the boarding repellent netting, one can imagine the possible ways the disaster would unfold.

By 1545 England was nearing the end of the king's almost 38-year reign. (1509 - 1547) The famous and infamous old king was present during the terrible event. He and his entourage were watching from land as the ships sailed out of the Solent to engage the French navy in battle. The Mary Rose was at the head of the fleet, bristling with new guns and a formidable force of soldiers ready to board the French ships.

As the freshly renovated Mary Rose came about, she keeled over as a strong gust of wind caught her sails. Her new and lower gun ports were open and ready for action. No doubt cannons ready to fire upon the French enemy. As the ship listed further than expected, experts in history and marine engineering believe the ships lower gunports allowed the sea to come through into the vessel that was already overweight with soldiers.

The centre of gravity shifted and the Mary Rose listed more. In moments the grand ship slid lower as more seawater cascaded into the vessel. All aboard would have struggled against the extreme listing but in vain. It all happened so quickly as the many hundreds of men went down with the ship. Around 25 sailors in the upper rigging were all that survived the sinking. One moment the ship was sailing into action and the next she was sliding under the sea with a mass of panicking men contained in the hold and unable to get off the doomed vessel.  

The French invasion was not successful, but the loss of the Mary Rose was a bitter manifestation for the English and their king. The last moments of this ship's life would immortalise her in history. Had she survived the battle, the ship would have faded and been virtually unknown.

The wreck of the Mary Rose was raised and is now in a museum at Portsmouth.