© Greg Harrington
A royal is a small square sail flown from the royal mast, immediately above the topgallant(s). It was originally called the “topgallant royal” and was used in light and favorable winds.
Royal sails were normally found only on larger ships with masts tall enough to accommodate the extra canvas. Royals were introduced around the turn of the 18th century, but were not usually flown on the mizzenmast until the end of that century.
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