Hub - The Allure of the Open Sea Part II

(Arrival of King Charles II of England in Rotterdam on May 24, 1660, painting by Lieve Verschuier | The yacht in the center of the painting might resemble what the yacht HMY Mary looked like.)

The Allure of the Open Sea – Part II: The Mary and the Birth of English Yachting

Private yachting is more than a pastime; it’s a lifestyle choice, a blend of adventure and exclusivity that offers freedom on the open water. At its heart, private yachting is the ownership or use of a vessel specifically for personal leisure rather than commercial or competitive purposes. It’s a realm where the practical meets the luxurious, where one can cruise at their own pace, far from the bustle of the shore, with a view that’s constantly changing.

The early days of English yachting were as much about diplomacy and national pride as they were about leisure and luxury. When Charles II returned to the throne in 1660, after years in exile during the turbulent English Civil War, he brought with him more than the hope of political stability—he brought a new fascination with maritime culture, inspired by his time in the Netherlands. It was there, amidst the bustling ports of a country that dominated global trade, that Charles was introduced to the jacht, a vessel that combined speed, elegance, and prestige. This newfound love for yachting would soon redefine England’s relationship with the sea.

At the heart of this transformation was The Mary, a yacht gifted to Charles II by the Dutch as a symbol of goodwill and diplomacy. But for Charles, the yacht became much more than a diplomatic gesture. It ignited his personal passion for the open sea, turning yachting into a royal pastime and a marker of status within the English court. Racing The Mary on the Thames, Charles not only embraced the excitement of competition but also showcased the power and agility of England’s naval potential in an era when maritime dominance was central to national identity.

Charles II’s Exile and Encounter with the Dutch Jacht

In 1646, sixteen-year-old Charles embarked on a journey into exile as his father fought desperately against Cromwell’s forces. He crossed the Channel under the protection of a Royal Navy frigate, destined first for the island of Jersey and later for France. During his time in The Hague, Charles encountered Cornelis de Graeff, the influential mayor of Amsterdam and president of the Dutch East India Company, a man renowned for both his political acumen and his ties to the powerful VOC. It was under de Graeff’s influence that Charles was first introduced to the jacht, a vessel smaller than the ships he’d known in England, but one perfectly crafted for both speed and grace—a practical and symbolic emblem of Dutch maritime prowess.

Upon his return to England, Charles received The Mary, a sleek, 17-meter-long vessel rigged with a gaff sail and two headsails, her lines drawing inspiration from the Dutch designs he admired. This vessel wasn’t simply a gift; it was a spark, igniting an enthusiasm for yachting that would capture the attention of England’s noble class and instill a newfound reverence for the open sea.

A Royal Race on the Thames: Rivalry and the Birth of Yachting

In October 1661, Charles, now king, and his brother James, Duke of York, decided to put their vessels to the test in what would become one of the earliest documented yacht races. Charles sailed The Catherine, built by Christopher Pett, while James took to the helm of The Anne, crafted by Pett’s brother, Peter. They agreed on a straightforward course, sailing from Greenwich to Gravesend and then back. The wager: £100 to the victor. Against the headwind on the outward leg, James’s Anne surged ahead, but on the return leg, with a favorable tailwind, The Catherine gained the advantage, each brother claiming victory on one leg of the journey.

This race, meticulously recorded by courtier and scholar John Evelyn, marked the beginning of English yachting. Evelyn noted the lively scene, with courtiers on board, and the Thames transformed into an impromptu racecourse. This October day would later be celebrated as the symbolic birth of yachting, setting the stage for competitive sailing in England and popularizing the term “regatta,” borrowed from Venetian gondola racing.

Yachting’s Legacy: Passion, Power, and Prestige

Charles’s enthusiasm for The Mary and her successors drew England’s noble class into his maritime world. But after his death in 1685, many of the yachts he inspired were absorbed into the Royal Navy, and the thrill of yachting began to wane. Yet the impact of that October day remained: the race on the Thames had established yachting as a pastime that carried both the prestige of courtly life and the spirit of maritime ambition.

In the decades that followed, yachting would grow from royal amusement to national sport, a pursuit intertwined with England’s growing naval power and her role as a global maritime leader. Charles II’s passion for The Mary and the thrill of competition at sea would endure, leaving an indelible mark on English maritime culture and paving the way for a tradition that would inspire generations to embrace the allure of the open sea.

As Charles II’s reign approached its final chapter, an unusual anecdote lingers in the archives of his court—a glimpse into the curious, sometimes dark, lengths the king went to in pursuit of vitality. For weeks, Charles had felt wretched, his body fatigued and his mind dulled. But on this particular February 2nd, 1685, he awoke in an especially alarming state. His body burned with fever, his head pounding with a ferocity that seemed fit to burst. The court physicians, always nearby, were ready with various herbal preparations. Yet Charles had a different remedy in mind—a bizarre tonic he’d grown to rely upon over the years.

The remedy, known as “The King’s Drops,” had an exotic, almost sinister origin. Crafted from finely ground human skull bones, dried snake skin, powdered deer antlers, and a hint of ivory, this tincture was the product of Dr. Jonathan Goddard, former physician to Charles’s father. A pioneer in experimental medicine and a member of the Royal Society, Goddard had passed on this peculiar formula to the young king, who used it to stave off the effects of stress and fatigue. The usual dose was modest—just eight drops mixed in wine or stirred into fine chocolate. But on this desperate morning, Charles demanded a more powerful dose: fifty drops, undiluted and on an empty stomach.

The skulls used in this concoction were far from ordinary. Dr. Goddard insisted that the bones of young, vital men who had met violent ends—those hanged or beheaded—contained the “optimal quality.” Such exacting requirements had given rise to a shadowy network of hangmen and gravediggers who discreetly supplied the necessary “materials.” It was a grim irony: these miracle drops hadn’t spared Charles I, beheaded during the English Civil War before he could even reach fifty. Nor had they preserved Oliver Cromwell, the very man responsible for Charles I’s execution, despite Goddard’s continued services after the fall of the monarchy.

And yet, even after the monarchy’s restoration, the allure of these “Cannibal Drops” was unstoppable. Charles II took to the formula with great enthusiasm, experimenting with skull mixtures in his own royal chemistry lab. But as his illness deepened and his doses grew more intense, the tincture could not stave off fate. Four days later, on February 6th, Charles II took his final breath.

In the aftermath, “The King’s Drops” became a sensation. Queens, bishops, and noblemen clamored for the miraculous elixir, and the tincture—once a bizarre private indulgence of Charles II—gained a regal reputation. It became a symbol of the mysterious allure of alchemy and power, forever tied to the legacy of the king who had loved both the open sea and the occult’s dark, unknown depths.

In the next chapter, readers will journey into the spread of yacht clubs throughout Europe, following in the footsteps of the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s pioneering spirit. This expansion marked the beginning of a more structured approach to yachting, with an emphasis on organized regattas, camaraderie, and the sharing of maritime knowledge. As yacht design shifted towards greater speed and maneuverability, competitive sailing evolved from a leisurely pursuit to a more refined and strategic sport. Readers can look forward to exploring how these early developments laid the foundation for modern yachting competitions and established the sport as a symbol of prestige and passion for the open sea.

post scriptum:

Step into the opulent world of Charles II’s court! This exhibition invites you to experience a day in the life of 17th-century royalty, where decadence, diplomacy, and drama come alive. Stroll through magnificent halls adorned with lavish artworks, encounter the elegance of Baroque style, and feel the pulse of courtly intrigue. Engage with immersive displays that reveal how art, fashion, and politics interwove in the life of one of England’s most enigmatic kings. A visit here is more than a journey through history; it’s an invitation to live a day at the court, just as the nobility once did:

https://www.ausstellung-charles2.phil.fau.de/en/