 Henry is traditionally cited as one of the founders of the Royal Navy . Technologically , Henry invested in large cannon for his warships , an idea that had taken hold in other countries , to replace the smaller serpentines in use . He also flirted with designing ships personally – although his contribution to larger vessels , if any , is not known , it is believed that he influenced the design of rowbarges and similar galleys . Henry was also responsible for the creation of a permanent navy , with the supporting anchorages and dockyards . Tactically , Henry 's reign saw the Navy move away from boarding tactics to employ gunnery instead . The Navy was enlarged up to fifty ships ( the Mary Rose was one of them ) , and Henry was responsible for the establishment of the " council for marine causes " to specifically oversee all the maintenance and operation of the Navy , becoming the basis for the later Admiralty . 
