Sir Walter Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh

Early Life

Sir Walter Raleigh was born around 1554 in Devon, England. He grew up during a time of great change in England, as Queen Elizabeth I ruled and England began to explore the world. Raleigh came from a well-off family and attended Oxford University for a short time. He later became a soldier, fighting in Ireland for the English government.

Adventurer and Explorer

Raleigh became famous for his adventures during the Age of Exploration. He dreamed of creating English colonies in the New World. He helped plan and support expeditions to North America, including the Roanoke Colony, which became known as the "Lost Colony" because it disappeared without explanation. Although Raleigh never went to Roanoke himself, he played an important role in trying to establish England’s first colonies.

Life at Court

Raleigh was close to Queen Elizabeth I and became one of her favorites. She rewarded him with land, titles, and influence. He was known for his charm and ambition. Raleigh also introduced new goods to England, such as tobacco and potatoes, which came from the Americas. These items became very popular in England and changed people’s daily lives.

Downfall and Death

After Queen Elizabeth died, Raleigh’s fortunes changed. The new king, James I, did not trust him. In 1603, Raleigh was accused of being involved in a plot to remove King James from power. He was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death, but the king spared his life and kept him in prison for many years. Later, Raleigh was released to lead an expedition to South America in search of gold. During the trip, his men attacked a Spanish outpost, which angered Spain. When Raleigh returned to England, the old death sentence was used against him. On October 29, 1618, he was executed in London by beheading.

U.S. half-dollar commemorative coin in honor of Sir Walter Raleigh

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think Sir Walter Raleigh wanted to start colonies in the New World?
  2. What challenges do you think explorers like Raleigh faced during their journeys?
  3. How did Raleigh influence life in England through his discoveries?
  4. What does Raleigh’s downfall tell us about politics during his time?

Glossary

  • Colony: A settlement ruled by another country.
  • Expedition: A journey made for exploration.
  • Influence: The power to affect others’ decisions or actions.
  • Execution: The act of putting someone to death by law.
  • Plotting: Secretly planning to do something harmful or illegal.

Five Interesting Facts

  1. Raleigh is said to have spread his cloak over a puddle so Queen Elizabeth wouldn’t get her shoes wet.
  2. He introduced tobacco smoking to England.
  3. Raleigh never actually visited Roanoke, even though he organized the colony.
  4. He wrote poetry while in prison.
  5. A city in North Carolina, Raleigh, is named after him.

Timeline

  • 1554 – Born in Devon, England.
  • 1584 – Receives a charter to establish colonies in America.
  • 1587 – Roanoke Colony disappears.
  • 1592 – Imprisoned for marrying without the queen’s permission.
  • 1618 – Executed in London.

Who Was Sir Walter Raleigh?

Sir Walter Raleigh was born around 1554 in Devon, England. He lived during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. Raleigh wanted England to explore the world and set up colonies in America. He helped organize the Roanoke Colony, which later became known as the “Lost Colony” because it disappeared.

His Role and Influence

Raleigh became a favorite of Queen Elizabeth and gained wealth and power. He introduced new crops from the Americas, like tobacco and potatoes, which became very popular in England.

The End of His Life

When Elizabeth died, King James I did not trust Raleigh. In 1603, he was accused of treason—plotting against the king. He spent years in prison, then was freed to search for gold in South America. The trip failed, and when he returned, the old death sentence was carried out. On October 29, 1618, Raleigh was executed by beheading in London.
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