The pilot on the Mary Rose might have used a sort of chart called a "Portulan".

This showed the outline of the coast and the names of ports.

Compass roses were drawn on the chart to help the pilot fix his course.

The charts were made of goat or sheepskin. Why do you think leather was better than paper on board ship?

HINT: What happens to paper when it gets wet?


The pilot would have also had a book of written sailing instructions. This was usually called a "Rutter".

It had useful information like lists of landmarks, distances, tide tables and notes about rocks and places to anchor.

A number of book covers were found on the Mary Rose, one of them might have been a Rutter but the pages have not survived.