06/11/2026
If you think growing a moustache for Movember is tough, imagine managing a beard in 1545 on board Henry VIII’s flagship, The Mary Rose!
When Henry VIII famously grew his iconic Tudor beard, he didn't just start a fashion trend, he made facial hair the ultimate high-status statement across England.
Before Henry VIII came to the throne, English nobility preferred a completely clean-shaven look.
But in 1519, a young Henry and King Francis I of France made the ultimate historical "Mo-Bro" pact: they agreed not to shave a single whisker until they met face-to-face at their massive peace summit, the Field of the Cloth of Gold!
From then every man wanted to look like the King. But how did ordinary sailors and officers keep their "Mo's" looking royal while crammed onto a warship?
We know the answer thanks to the incredible archaeology right here in Portsmouth!
When The Mary Rose was raised from the seabed, divers recovered 82 boxwood grooming combs.
These dual-sided combs weren't just for looking sharp, they were essential survival gear used by the crew to groom their beards and scratch out "Tudor lice"!
Even the ship’s Carpenter had a luxury grooming kit complete with a straight razor, a mirror, and a shaving brush.
You can see these within the largest collection of Tudor artefacts, here in the world at The Mary Rose Museum.
