Summary
Sir Walter Raleigh was one of the most prominent European Adventurers during the Age of Exploration. Raleigh was not only a soldier and an explorer, but also an English aristocrat who served in Parliament and was, for some time, a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I. As one of her famous “Sea Dogs,” Raleigh waged war on the high seas against the Spanish and sought to help England build an empire in the New World. His efforts included failed colonies on Roanoke Island and in Guiana; however, the expeditions he participated in and funded laid the foundation for Jamestown’s establishment in 1607. Although Raleigh fell out of favor with the Crown and was executed in 1618, his impact makes him one of the most important figures in establishing England’s colonies in North America.
Personal Facts
- Born: c. 1552 to 1554, at Hayes Barton, Devon, England.
- Parents: Walter Raleigh (father) and Katherine (mother).
- Spouse: Elizabeth “Bess” Throckmorton (1591).
- Died: October 29, 1618, in London, England.
- Part Of: European Adventurers.
- Era: Exploration and Settlement.
Key Details
- Education: Raleigh studied at Oriel College, Oxford for about one year and later studied at Middle Temple, one of the Inns of Court.
- Occupation: He was a soldier, courtier, explorer, writer, member of Parliament, investor, and colonizer.
- Colonization: Raleigh funded the establishment of colonies at Roanoke Island and Guiana.
- Publications: The Discoverie of the Large, Rich, and Beautiful Empire of Guiana (1596), History of the World (1614).
- Title: Raleigh was knighted on January 6, 1585.
- Legacy: In 1792, North Carolina named its capital “Raleigh” in his honor.
Significance
Walter Raleigh is important to American History because he encouraged and financed some of England’s earliest attempts to colonize North America. He sponsored voyages to the region and financed the Roanoke Colony in present-day North Carolina. Although his settlements failed, Raleigh continued to believe that an English colony could succeed in North America. His efforts helped pave the way for later English colonization, including the successful settlement at Jamestown.
Biography
Early Life, Education, and Family
Walter Raleigh was an English soldier, explorer, and adventurer who supported colonization of the New World and played a key role in England’s early attempts to establish settlements in North America.
Born in Devon, England, around 1554, Raleigh studied at Oxford and later at the Middle Temple. His father, Walter Raleigh of Fardell, was a wealthy landowner. His mother’s name was Katherine. One of her sons from a previous marriage was Humphrey Gilbert, with whom young Walter was closely linked.
Wars of Religion
Around the age of 15, Raleigh participated in the Wars of Religion in France, where he fought with the Huguenots (French Protestants) in 1569 and 1570.
Elizabeth’s Sea Dogs and the 1577 Plan
Gilbert and Raleigh were known as two of Queen Elizabeth I’s “Sea Dogs,” English privateers given permission by the Crown to raid Spanish ships sailing between Spain and the New World. In 1577, an anonymous document was passed to Elizabeth I called “A Discourse How Her Majesty May Annoy the King of Spain,” or the “1577 Plan.” It proposed sending English fleets to Newfoundland, pretending they were there for exploration. However, the true purpose was to attack Spanish fishing ships. The plan promised to make Elizabeth I the “monarch of the seas.” This document is often attributed to Gilbert and Raleigh. Other prominent Sea Dogs were Martin Frobisher, Francis Drake, and John Hawkins.
Gilbert’s Expedition
In 1578, Elizabeth I granted Humphrey Gilbert permission to explore North America and claim land for England. Gilbert assembled a small fleet and sailed toward Africa. Raleigh was part of the expedition. Unfortunately, harsh weather forced the ships to return to England.
Second Desmond Rebellion in Ireland
In 1580 and 1581, Raleigh served in the English army with Gilbert during the suppression of the Second Desmond Rebellion in Ireland, as part of the Tudor Conquest of Ireland (1534–1603). He was criticized after his men killed 400 to 500 Italian and Spanish soldiers when the Siege of Smerwick ended. According to Raleigh, he did not give the order; it came from Arthur Grey, Baron Grey de Wilton, a superior officer with whom he clashed.
Elizabeth’s Favorite
Due to his exploits, Raleigh gained Elizabeth I’s favor, and she rewarded him with estates and profitable business ventures, including the lucrative “Farm of Wines” monopoly. Under this arrangement, Raleigh collected dues from every winemaker in England.
Raleigh Inherits Gilbert’s Patent
Gilbert led another expedition in June 1583 that explored present-day Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island; however, he was killed during a storm. Raleigh was determined to fulfill his half-brother’s plans for glory in the New World and decided to fund his own expeditions. Elizabeth I transferred Gilbert’s patent to Raleigh on March 25, 1584, giving him permission to establish a colony in North America. The arrangement allowed Raleigh to keep 80% of the gold, silver, or other treasures he found. The remaining 20% was reserved for the Crown.
The Amadas-Barlowe Expedition
In 1584, Raleigh sent an expedition, led by Captain Philip Amadas and Master Arthur Barlowe, that explored the East Coast from present-day North Carolina to Florida.
The First Roanoke Colony
A larger expedition followed in 1585, led by Richard Grenville and Ralph Lane, and established a colony on Roanoke Island; however, it was quickly abandoned after the settlers suffered food and supply shortages and conflicts with local Native American Indians. The settlers were taken back to England by Sir Francis Drake. During this time on the island, two settlers, Thomas Harriot and John White, documented the Indians living there.
The Lost Colony
Raleigh made a second attempt in 1587, when John White led settlers to Roanoke Island. White returned to England for supplies and was delayed there for three years. When White returned in 1590, he found the settlers were missing and the word “CROATOAN” carved into a post. White searched for any sign of the settlers, but harsh weather forced him to return to England. To this day, historians and archaeologists still debate the fate of this so-called “Lost Colony.”
Marriage to Bess Throckmorton
Raleigh’s standing in Elizabeth I’s court declined after he secretly married Elizabeth “Bess” Throckmorton, one of the Queen’s attendants, in 1591, because it was done without the Queen’s permission. She banished him from her court and had him imprisoned. Despite this, he continued to manage his privateering fleet and shared the profits with the Queen.
The Search for El Dorado
Raleigh also promoted English expansion into Guiana in South America. He argued that colonization was justified because it would spread Protestantism, weaken Spanish power, and provide England with access to vast wealth. In 1595, he searched for the legendary city of gold, “El Dorado,” in Guiana without success, but did explore the Orinoco River. In 1596, he published The Discoverie of the Large, Rich, and Beautiful Empire of Guiana to promote settlement. That same year, he participated in the Capture of Cadiz. In 1597, he fought in the Azores. His participation in these operations helped restore his favor with Elizabeth I.
Raleigh Convicted of Treason
Following Elizabeth I’s death in 1603, King James I ascended to the throne. Raleigh was accused of being involved in the “Main Plot,” a scheme to assassinate the King. He was convicted of treason and spent 13 years imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was released on March 19, 1616.
Second Guiana Expedition
After his release, James I gave him permission for another expedition to Guiana, but told him to avoid conflicts with the Spanish. As before, he failed to find El Dorado. However, some of his men attacked the Spanish settlement of Santo Tomé. The Spanish Ambassador to England, Don Diego Sarmiento de Acuña, Count of Gondomar, complained to James I about Raleigh’s actions, and he was imprisoned again.
Raleigh’s Execution
James I ordered his execution, and Raleigh was publicly beheaded on October 29, 1618. His head was given to his wife, Bess, who had it embalmed so she could show it to visitors.
Timeline
- c. 1552–1554 — Walter Raleigh was born at Hayes Barton in Devon.
- 1569–1570 — Raleigh fought in the religious wars in France.
- 1577 — Raleigh and Gilbert proposed the 1577 Plan for capturing Spanish ships and using the profits to attack Spanish colonies in the Americas.
- 1580 — He went to Ireland with an English force sent to suppress the Second Desmond Rebellion and participated in the killing of 600 men at Fort Smerwick.
- 1583
- Raleigh supported Gilbert’s attempt to establish a colony in North America and supplied a ship and financial investment.
- Raleigh was established in Elizabeth I’s court
- 1584, March 25 — Elizabeth I granted Raleigh permission to explore and claim territories while reserving 20% of any gold and ore for the Crown.
- 1584, April — Two ships financed by Raleigh sailed from Plymouth on an exploratory voyage to North America. This expedition gave the name “Virginia” to the territory it explored from present-day North Carolina to Florida.
- 1584 — Raleigh was elected to Parliament.
- 1585, April 9 — Raleigh sent four ships and two pinnaces under Richard Grenville to establish a settlement at Roanoke Island.
- 1585, August 17 — Grenville landed 108 men at Roanoke Island and established the first Roanoke Colony.
- 1586, June 19 — Francis Drake arrived and offered the Roanoke settlers passage back to England.
- 1587
- John White led a new group of settlers, including women and children, to Roanoke Island. They arrived on July 22 and found the settlement abandoned.
- White returned to England to obtain supplies for the colony.
- 1590, August — White returned to Roanoke and found the colony deserted, the fort ransacked, and “CROATOAN” carved into a post.
- 1591 — Raleigh married Elizabeth Throckmorton.
- 1592 — Raleigh was disgraced, dismissed from Elizabeth I’s court, and imprisoned in the Tower of London.
- 1595, February 6 — Raleigh sailed from Plymouth with four ships and traveled to Guiana in search of El Dorado, where he explored the Orinoco River.
- 1595, September — Raleigh returned to England.
- 1596
- Raleigh published The Discoverie of the Large, Rich, and Beautiful Empire of Guiana.
- He participated in the successful English invasion of Cadiz and regained royal favor.
- 1603
- Elizabeth I died, and Raleigh lost his property and royal favor.
- Raleigh was accused of participating in a plot to murder James I and was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
- 1616
- Raleigh was released after spending 13 years imprisoned so he could secure financing for another expedition to South America.
- He led his second expedition to Guiana.
- 1618 — He returned to England.
- 1618, October 29 — Raleigh was beheaded in London after being accused of attempting to start a war between England and Spain.
AP US History
Definition
Walter Raleigh (c. 1554–1618) — Raleigh was an English courtier, soldier, explorer, and promoter of colonization who played an important role in England’s early efforts to settle North America. Raleigh became a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I and served as one of her “Sea Dogs,” privateers who raided Spanish ships on the high seas. In 1584, Elizabeth I granted him permission to explore and claim territories for England in the New World. Raleigh financed expeditions that established the unsuccessful Roanoke colonies in present-day North Carolina, including the so-called “Lost Colony.” Although Roanoke failed, Raleigh’s efforts helped pave the way for later English settlement at Jamestown in 1607.
Alignment
Walter Raleigh is part of the following AP US History sections:
