A Replica of a 7th Century Anglo-Saxon Ship Set to Navigate the Thames in England

In England and more precisely in what constituted the East Anglie in the 7th century, members of the Sutton Hoo Ship's Company have the crazy project to make a replica of a ship having certainly been the last home of the Anglo-Saxon King of East-Anglie, Rædwald. In a few years, the goal will even be to have it navigate on the Thames in London.

Discovered in 1939, replied more than 80 years later

It was in the current archaeological site of the High Middle Ages of Sutton Hoo that the ship that the SHSC is trying to rebuild was discovered the same year when the Second World War declared.

After multiple analyzes and research, it was estimated that the said ship dated from the 7th century and that it would have been the last home of an illustrious character of the Middle Ages: King Rædwald. The latter reigned over East Anglie during the first quarter of the 7th century. Died in 624, his last home was apparently the ship which serves as a model for the SHSC.

A film on this discovery, The Digis even available on Netflix where the main role is not played by none other than Ralph Fiennes, the interpreter of Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter.

In some time, the construction of the ship will be completed in the eastern England and the following objective will be to have it navigate. But before putting it in the water, challenges await the shipowners.

A boat built with the means of the 7th century and that no one knows how to sail

This is what makes this replica of the Rædwald funeral ship, a single boat. Indeed, the objective of the SHSC is to put this ship into the water by having built it as the Anglo-Saxons of the 7th century would have done.

“” “There are no machines, no electric tools, the entire process takes place exactly as in the 7th century”Explains Sean McMillan, president of the SHSC, at the Bbc.

Today, it is estimated that 60% of the boat is finished and that construction should end next year. However, once this challenge has passed, another challenge will animate them: that of piloting this ship. Because for the moment, no one can do it.

“” “We will have to, I imagine, the first two years, on the Deben river, because no one knows how to row on such a ship, and we must therefore work on this point”He explains, stating that they will also have to learn to navigate high currents.

But the final objective, or at least one of the final stages, would be, for the SHSC, to sail this ship on the Thames, the river which crosses the English capital. “” “What a show would be!“Said the enthusiastic shipowner to have his project sail.

For the time being, you have to finish building it, and always in the rules of the art, navigation will then come.

Source : Bbc