King Henry VII (Poem by Rudyard Kipling)

King Henry VII And The Shipwrights

By Rudyard Kipling

Harry, our King in England, from London town is gone,

And comen to Hamull on the Hoke in the countie of Suthampton.

For there lay The Mary of the Tower, his ship of war so strong,

And he would discover, certaynely, if his shipwrights did him wrong.

He told not none of his setting forth, nor yet where he would go

(But only my Lord of Arundel), and meanly did he show,

In an old jerkin and patched hose that no man might him mark;

With his frieze hood and cloak above, he looked like any clerk.

He was at Hamull on the Hoke about the hour of the tide.

And saw the Mary haled into dock, the winter to abide,

With all her tackle and habiliments which are the King his own;

But then ran on his false shipwrights and stripped her to the bone.

They heaved the main-mast overboard, that was of a trusty tree,

And they wrote down it was spent and lost by force of weather at sea.

But they sawen it into planks and strakes as far as it might go,

To maken beds for their own wives and little children also.

There was a knave called Slingawai, he crope beneath the deck.

Crying: 'Good felawes, come and see! The ship is nigh a wreck!

For the storm that took our tall main-mast, it blew so fierce and fell,

Alack! it hath taken the kettles and pans, and this brass pott as well!'

With that he set the pott on his head and hied him up the hatch,

While all the shipwrights ran below to find what they might snatch;

All except Bob Brygandyne and he was a yeoman good,

He caught Slingawai round the waist and threw him on to the mud.

'I have taken plank and rope and nail, without the King his leave,

After the custom of Portesmouth, but I will not suffer a thief.

Nay, never lift up thy hand at me! There's no clean hands in the trade — 

Steal in measure,' quo' Brygandyne. 'There's measure in all things made!'

'Gramercy, yeoman!' said our King. 'Thy council liketh me.'

And he pulled a whistle out of his neck and whistled whistles three.

Then came my Lord of Arundel pricking across the down,

And behind him the Mayor and Burgesses of merry Suthampton town.

They drew the naughty shipwrights up, with the kettles in their hands,

And bound them round the forecastle to wait the King's commands.

But 'Since ye have made your beds,' said the King, 'ye needs must lie thereon.

For the sake of your wives and little ones — felawes, get you gone!'

When they had beaten Slingawai, out of his own lips

Our King appointed Brygandyne to be Clerk of all his ships.

'Nay, never lift up thy hands to me — there's no clean hands in the trade.

But steal in measure,' said Harry our King. 'There's measure in all things made!'

God speed the 'Mary of the Tower,' the 'Sovereign,' and 'Grace Dieu,'

The 'Sweepstakes' and the 'Mary Fortune,' and the 'Henry of Bristol' too!

All tall ships that sail on, the sea, or in our harbours stand,

That they may keep measure with Harry our King and peace in Engeland!

Poem Analysis:

Rudyard Kipling's poem, "King Henry VII," takes readers on a journey into the maritime world of 15th-century England. It tells the story of King Henry VII's visit to Hamull on the Hoke in Southampton to inspect his ship, "The Mary of the Tower," and the subsequent discovery of corruption among his shipwrights. This analysis article explores the poem's themes of justice, accountability, and the responsibility of leadership.

1. A Monarch's Unassuming Visit: The poem begins by depicting King Henry VII's unassuming visit to Southampton. He arrives in plain attire, resembling a common clerk rather than a king, emphasizing his humility and hands-on approach to governance. This portrayal sets the stage for the king's dedication to ensuring the welfare of his kingdom.
2. Corruption Unveiled: Upon his arrival, King Henry VII inspects "The Mary of the Tower" and discovers evidence of corruption among his shipwrights. They have intentionally stripped the ship of its materials to claim them as lost at sea, which implies a lack of loyalty and trustworthiness among the shipbuilders. This discovery serves as a powerful metaphor for corruption in society, where those entrusted with responsibility prioritize personal gain over their duty.
3. Bob Brygandyne: A Model of Justice: Amidst the deceitful shipwrights stands Bob Brygandyne, a yeoman of noble character. Brygandyne apprehends the dishonest Slingawai and calls for justice. His actions represent the importance of honesty and integrity, even in the face of adversity. King Henry VII recognizes Brygandyne's moral fiber and appoints him as Clerk of all his ships, promoting him as a model of rectitude and accountability.
4. The King's Wisdom and Justice: The poem emphasizes King Henry VII's wisdom and impartiality in addressing the situation. Instead of allowing vengeance to prevail, he calls for fair judgment and gives the shipwrights a chance to reflect on their actions. The King's ultimate decision to release them with a stern warning demonstrates both his strength and wisdom as a ruler.
5. The Legacy of Accountability: Kipling concludes the poem by blessing several ships, wishing for peace and accountability in England. This final stanza reinforces the importance of leadership that upholds principles of justice and honesty, echoing the legacy that King Henry VII left behind.

"King Henry VII" by Rudyard Kipling serves as a reminder of the timeless principles of justice, accountability, and integrity in leadership. Through vivid storytelling and vivid characters, Kipling conveys the message that leaders must be vigilant in upholding these values to ensure the well-being of their kingdoms and societies. The poem is a testament to the enduring relevance of ethical governance and the responsibility of those in positions of power.