Henry VIII embarked upon a programme of ship building on his accession, including the Mary Rose which was built between 1509 and 1511. As the English flagship, she took part in many of the naval conflicts of Henry’s reign. Her last engagement was in the Solent against a French invasion fleet in July 1545. With Henry watching from Southsea Castle on the mainland, the Mary Rose sank with the loss of around 500 men.