Great Michael sits near the beginning of a major change in European naval technology and rivalry. Built as a Scottish flagship, then sold to France after the death of James IV, she may have taken part in the operations surrounding the loss of Mary Rose. Her size prevented her from using the principal French naval dockyard, exposing the ship to weaker maintenance arrangements in a commercial port. She also stimulated English responses such as Great Harry and contributed to the design competition that eventually produced ships of the line.
Notable Point · 25:00-28:35
Great Michael at the start of a new European naval race
Scotland's Great Michael helps trace the transition from medieval fighting ships toward the naval competition that produced ships of the line.