Without Henry VIII’s
founding of the Trinity College, we might not have Isaac Newton, and
without whom, there would be no calculus (although Gottfried Leibniz
should share the equal credit), no classical physics and quantum
mechanics, and no birth of modern science.
When Henry VIII took
reign in 1509, the Spanish and the Portuguese ruled the waves and had
the spoils of Asia and South America. It is safe to say that Henry
VIII began the British Royal Navy, without which British could not
control the sea last century, as U.S. does today, and there wouldn’t
be an Empire without sunset.
Sir Walter Raleigh
said, “Whosever commands the sea, commands the trade; whosever
commands the trade of the world commands the riches of the world, and
consequently the world itself.”
Will
Durant gave credit to Henry VIII for building the British Royal Navy
In his The Story
of Civilization (Volume VI Reformation), Will Durant wrote
that Henry VIII “originally destined for an ecclesiastical career,
he became something of a theologian, and could quote Scripture to any
purpose . . . He took an active part in works of engineering,
shipbuilding, fortification, and artillery.”
There are solid
evidences that Henry VIII heavily invested on building the fighting
vessels equipped with cannons and the shipyards. Mary Rose (so named
after Henry VIII’s beloved sister, Mary Tudor. Some said it was
named after Virgin Mary, who was then known as “The Mystic Rose”)
was the first known battle ship equipped with cannons.
Prince
Charles was involved in bringing Henry VIII battle ship to surface
Mary Rose sank in
1545 on her way out to take on the French fleet. Legend had it that
Henry VIII witnessed its sinking, which was speculated as the result
of the improper installing of the double row cannons.
Mary Rose was
successfully salvaged and brought back to the surface along with
17,000 artifacts on October 12, 1982 (see article from NY Times).
The wreck was initially found in 1970. The project was operated by
Mary Rose Trust, headed by Prince Charles, who himself is a navy man.
I do not recall
Churchill ever mentions Henry VIII’s contribution in establishing
the British Royal Navy in his A History of English Speaking
People, except saying “we must credit Henry’s reign with
laying the basis of sea-power . . .” while talking about
Elizabethan [Henry VIII's daughter by Anne Boleyn] naval fleet.
Roman
general-turn-to-emperor, Carausius
In his The
History of the Decline and Fall of Roman Empire, Edward Gibbon
gave the credit of the future British naval power and empire to a
Roman general-turn-to-emperor, Carausius, by saying “Under his
[Carausius] command, Britain, destined in a future age to obtain the
empire of the sea, already assumed its natural and respectable
station of a maritime power.”
Julius Caesar first
invaded Britain in 55 BC and it was just sort of “testing the
water”. He came back with more than 600 ships next year, bringing
Britain into subjugation to under Roman yoke.
Roman military
commander Carausius stationed in Britannica; he usurped power and
proclaimed himself a Roman Emperor in Britain in 286 AD. The reason
why he could do this with success is that he built a strong naval
fleet, and as we know Romans were strong in army and weak in sea
power. A great number of Carausius medals and coins are still
preserved to this day.
(The following is
what Edward Gibbon writing about Emperor Carausius)
Edward
Gibbon gave credit to Emperor Carausius for building the first
British fleet to rule the sea more than 1700 years ago
When
Britain was thus dismembered from the empire, its importance was
sensibly felt, and its loss sincerely lamented. The Romans
celebrated, and perhaps magnified, the extent of that noble island,
provided on every side with convenient harbors; the temperature of
the climate, and the fertility of the soil, alike adapted for the
production of corn or of vines; the valuable minerals with which it
abounded; its rich pastures covered with innumerable flocks, and its
woods free from wild beasts or venomous serpents. Above all, they
regretted the large amount of the revenue of Britain, whilst they
confessed, that such a province well deserved to become the seat of
an independent monarchy. During the space of seven years it was
possessed by Carausius; and fortune continued propitious to a
rebellion supported with courage and ability. The British emperor
defended the frontiers of his dominions against the Caledonians of
the North, invited, from the continent, a great number of skilful
artists, and displayed, on a variety of coins that are still extant,
his taste and opulence. . . . His fleets rode triumphant in the
channel, commanded the mouths of the Seine and of the Rhine, ravaged
the coasts of the ocean, and diffused beyond the columns of Hercules
the terror of his name Under his command, Britain, destined in a
future age to obtain the empire of the sea, already assumed its
natural and respectable station of a maritime power.
