Over the past several weeks, we’ve taken a deep dive into the story behind one of Tavistock’s most intriguing historical discoveries – the 16th-century ship painting uncovered during renovations at 4 Market Street in Tavistock. Our blog series, "The Tale of the Ship Painting," has explored the discovery, history, and significance of this remarkable find, revealing layers of history that connect Tavistock to the broader maritime world of Tudor England.
What We’ve Covered
The Discovery: We began our series by recounting the serendipitous discovery of the ship painting in the 1980s during routine renovations. We learned how this historical treasure was nearly lost amidst the construction work and how it sparked the interest of local historians and heritage enthusiasts.
The Building’s Storied Past: Next, we delved into the history of the building at 4 Market Street, tracing its evolution from a boot-making empire to a dry-cleaning establishment, and how it has played a central role in Tavistock’s commercial life for centuries.
The Painting in Detail: One of the highlights of our series was the detailed analysis of the ship painting itself. We explored the artistic techniques used, the historical symbols depicted, and the painting’s connection to Tudor naval power. The work of maritime historians and art conservation experts helped us better understand the significance of the painting within the broader context of 16th-century English maritime history.
Expert Opinions and Research: We also shared insights from experts like Dr. Ian Friel, who identified the ship as a Tudor war carrack, and Ruth McNeilage, who analysed the pigments and conservation needs of the painting. Their contributions have been invaluable in uncovering the painting’s origins and significance.
Each blog post has been a step in unravelling the mysteries of the ship painting, offering new perspectives on Tavistock’s rich maritime heritage and its connections to England’s storied naval past.
What’s Next?
As we conclude this blog series, we’re excited to offer you an opportunity to dive even deeper into the story of the Tavistock ship painting. On September 6th at 16:30, Dr. Geri Parlby, the historian and author behind this series, will be giving a special talk that explores the ship painting in greater detail.
The talk is FREE but it's probably best to reserve a seat. You can reserve a seat by following the link - RESERVE ME A SEAT
Dr. Parlby’s talk will cover everything we’ve discussed in the blog series, but with additional insights and the chance to hear directly from the expert who has dedicated so much time to researching this fascinating piece of Tavistock’s history. Whether you’ve followed our blog series from the beginning or are just now discovering the story, this talk will provide a rich, engaging experience.
Why You Should Attend
Deeper Insights: Dr. Parlby will share new findings and perspectives that go beyond what we’ve covered in the blog series. This is your chance to learn more about the ship painting’s historical context and significance.
Interactive Q&A: After the talk, there will be a Q&A session where you can ask Dr. Parlby your own questions about the ship painting, the building, or any other aspect of Tavistock’s history.
Connect with the Community: This event is a great way to connect with other history enthusiasts and local residents who share an interest in Tavistock’s heritage.
How to Attend
The talk will be held in the Courtroom in Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre. Spaces are limited, so be sure to book your seat as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss out on this unique opportunity. It’s FREE.
This talk is part of Tavistock's Heritage Open Days programme of events you can download the full programme here.
In advance of the official launch on September 6th you can also see the full interpretive display about the Ship Painting in the Guildhall Heritage Centre. It's a wonderful multimedia exhibition and it's also FREE.
Tavistock Heritage Trust is working with partners to restore and save the painting, if you would like to make a small donation to support this valuable work please follow this link.
If you would like to find out more about the array of projects Tavistock Heritage Trust are currently involved in follow this link https://www.heritageintavistock.org/our-projects
The Ship Painting Project is a Tavistock Heritage Project in conjunction with Tavistock Town Council and supported by Devon County Council and TIDE and Interreg.
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