I am one of the most famous men in English history. I am an explorer, poet, pirate, and scientist. I am the cyber spirit of Sir Walter Raleigh.
I was born at Hayes Baron in Devonshire around 1552. I attended college at Oxford University. I left school to join a group to fight the Huguenots in France.
I became one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite men. There is a famous tale of how I first met Queen Elizabeth. I laid a cloak over a puddle of water so that Queen Elizabeth could walk on my cloak instead of getting her feet wet. Some people believe this and others do not.
I lived during exciting times. Spain was sending ships out into the ocean to explore new lands. I wanted new colonies for England so I asked Queen Elizabeth for help. I needed her to give me money for ships and explorers to sail to the new lands. She finally agreed. When she gave me the money I ordered Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe to establish a colony in the New World (present day America). In fact, I sent several expeditions to America.
The first group came back to England with tales of riches in the New World. They brought back spices and plants. Now here is where I fit into the story. In 1587, I sent another group to Virginia with John White as their governor. White went to the New World with 117 people who were excited to start a new colony. They arrived at Roanoke Island which today is part of North Carolina. When the food supply got low, White left the people there and sailed back to England for supplies. He was delayed by England's war with Spain. When White returned to Roanoke no one was there.
I helped England win the war against Spain. I also led other expeditions against the Spanish and returned back to England with Spanish treasure. I became very famous in England. I made many friends and enemies. Some of the trips I made were not very successful and this did not make the Queen very happy. Queen Elizabeth was also not very happy when I married one of her maids-of-honor.
Queen Elizabeth died in 1602 and James I became king. He did not really
trust me. He then charged me with treason and imprisoned me in the tower
of London. I was kept there for 12 years with my family and servants. While
I was there, I wrote The History of the World. I was let out of prison in
1616 to search for gold in South America. This trip did not turn out very
well and I was forced to return to England in 1618. I was put back into
prison and sentenced to death. My head was cut off by an ax.
 History'n Mystery |
Moments In Time |
Interesting Places |
Important People |
Mysteries Theories |
More References |