Determining the nature, evolution, and impact of acid‐generating sulfur deposits in the Mary Rose wooden hull is crucial for protecting Henry VIII's famous warship for generations to come. Here, a comprehensive X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy (XANES) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) study sheds vital light on the evolution of complex sulfur‐based compounds lodged in Mary Rose timbers as a function of drying time. Combining insights from infrared spectroscopy correlates the presence of oxidized sulfur species with increased wood degradation via the loss of major wood components (holocellulose). Intriguingly, zinc is found to co‐exist with iron and sulfur in the most degraded wood regions, indicating its potential contributing role to wood degradation. This study provides crucial information on the degradation processes and resulting products within the wood, which can be used to develop remediation strategies to save the Mary Rose.

The Cover Feature shows the Tudor warship, the Mary Rose, which is on display in Portsmouth (UK). Her conservation involved drying in an environmentally controlled enclosure. To understand the impact of exposure to air on the ancient timbers, samples were removed and analysed with spectroscopic techniques. From this it was possible to link the presence and evolution of sulfur and iron to wood degradation, thereby providing crucial information for future conservation strategies. More information can be found in the Full Paper by E. J. Schofield and co‐workers (DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202000160). Photo credits: Stephen Foote, Mary Rose Trust; and Diamond Light Source.