Royal Sovereign became a model for an establishment

Royal Sovereign, launched in 1701, was considered successful enough that the 1719 Establishment drew on her dimensions. Royal William and Britannia were rebuilt to approximately the same dimensions in 1719. Royal Sovereign herself was then rebuilt in 1724-1728 to the resulting standard, with stronger decks and hull intended to support a heavier battery. The middle deck increased from 18-pounders to 24-pounders and the upper deck from 9-pounders to 12-pounders. The lower-deck armament is disputed: 28 42-pounders are the favored reading of the ratings discussed here, while a mixture of 32- and 42-pounders or the retention of 32-pounders remains possible. Six-pounders stayed on the quarterdeck and forecastle, where their height already gave them firing positions above many opponents. Her career shows how a successful ship could influence a fleet standard and then undergo further modification to meet it.