The Navy of the Lancastrian Kings

This volume prints, from a manuscript in the National Maritime Museum, the accounts kept by the official in charge of the King’s ships during these years, translated from medieval Latin. The accounts are concerned largely with the disposal of the vessels owned by Henry V after his death. Also printed are further fragmentary accounts relating to ship repairs and ship building in 1416 and 1417.

The income and expenditure sections show clearly the sources of finance for royal vessels and also their value on disposal. The inventory section consists of lists of the fittings, rigging and armaments on board the vessels.

The volume also includes an introduction dealing with Soper’s career, as a merchant in Southampton as well as a royal official, and with the administration and operation of royal ships in the early fifteenth century. The volume also contains a full list of ships owned by Henry V, select biographies and a glossary of technical terms.