The Life Scientific Eleanor Schofield on conserving Tudor warship the Mary Rose
Nov 4, 2025
Eleanor Schofield, a materials engineer and Director of Collections at the Mary Rose Trust, delves into the fascinating world of conserving the Tudor warship Mary Rose. She shares her insights on the challenges of preserving 500-year-old wood and metal, including the innovative use of PEG to prevent shrinkage. Eleanor also discusses the emotional impact of seeing the ship's scale and the importance of cutting-edge synchrotron science in her work. Her personal journey through loss and career transitions adds depth to her commitment to history and conservation.
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Unique Window Into Tudor Life
- The Mary Rose offers the largest collection of Tudor objects, giving an unfiltered cross-section of life aboard the ship.
- That breadth lets researchers reconstruct clothing, food, games, instruments and weapons in rich detail.
Favorite Object: Knit Combs
- Eleanor is especially fond of the wooden knit combs because they are exquisitely made and still effective.
- Some combs even retain nits, which she uses to engage and gross out visitors, especially children.
Synchrotrons Reveal Material Secrets
- A synchrotron produces very bright X-rays by bending electrons, enabling precise elemental and structural analysis.
- Such beamlines reveal composition and crystal structure crucial for conservation decisions.