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Walter Raleigh

Historical Figure

Walter Raleigh

d. 1618

English statesman and explorer (1552–1618)

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Biography

Sir Walter Raleigh was an English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer. One of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era, he played a leading part in English colonisation of North America, suppressed rebellion in Ireland, helped defend England against the Spanish Armada and held political positions under Elizabeth I.

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In Their Own Words (5)

Timeline

The story of Walter Raleigh, told in moments.

1585 Life

Knighted by Elizabeth I. Granted a royal patent to explore and colonize Virginia. He financed and organized the Roanoke voyages but never set foot in the colony himself. The settlement vanished without a trace.

1591 Life

Secretly married Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting. Elizabeth I hadn't given permission. Both were thrown in the Tower of London. After release, they retired to Sherborne in Dorset.

1603 Life

Arrested on dubious treason charges after James I took the throne. Spent 13 years imprisoned in the Tower, where he wrote a massive History of the World and conducted chemistry experiments.

1618 Death

Beheaded at Westminster. He'd been released from the Tower for one last expedition to find El Dorado in South America. It failed. Spain demanded his execution. He reportedly felt the axe blade and said, "This is a sharp medicine, but it is a physician for all diseases."

Artifacts (5)

Sir Walter Raleigh

James Posselwhite|Charles Knight I|Sir Walter Raleigh

1813–26 · Stipple engraving
The Met View

The history of the world

85 [Raleigh (Sir Walter)] The History of the World, first edition, with errata uncorrected, 2 parts in one vol., engraved allegorical title-page and 8 double- page engraved maps {one inserted from a...

1614

The prerogative of parliaments in England

-RALEGH- LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA /\io4- Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2011 witii funding from University of Nortii Carolina at Chapel...

1628

Remains of Sir Walter Raleigh

INTRODUCTION. IX ter. " Schiller has no trace of vanity, scarcely of pride, even in its best sense ; he has no hatred, no anger, save against falsehood and baseness, where it may be called a holy...

1657

The history of the world, in five books

CHAPTER VIII. Of the first planting of Nations after the Flood ; and of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japhet, by whom the earth was repeopled. PAGE SECT. I — Whether Shem and Ham were elder than...

1677

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