Walter Raleigh was one of the most recognizable and important figures of the Elizabethan era. He was a soldier, explorer, adventurer, writer, poet and favorite of Queen Elizabeth. His name is associated with the Spanish Armada, the search for the fabled city of El Dorado, and the lost colony of Roanoke.
Episodes
Walter Raleigh – Part 1 – soldier, privateer, and courtier
Walter Raleigh would be one of the most recognizable person of the Elizabethan era. He was a soldier, explorer, adventurer, writer, poet and favorite of Queen Elizabeth. In part one of our story, we look at his humble beginnings, including his time as a solder in France and Ireland, a stint as a privateer, and finally a fixture in the cutthroat world of Queen Elizabeth’s court.
Walter Raleigh – Part 2 – Virginia Colony and the growing Spanish threat
In part 2 of our series, Raleigh rises up at the court of Queen Elizabeth. He also begins series of expeditions to North America – to try and establish the first permanent English settlement in the New World. While all that happens, the military might of King Phillip and Spain looms on the horizon.
Walter Raleigh – Part 3 – War with Spain, the fate of the Roanoke Colony, and secret marriages
In part 3 of our series, we spend a lot of time talking about the continuing war with Spain – including the famous Spanish Armada. We also detail the fate of the Roanoke Colony, and discuss the fallout with Queen Elizabeth over Raleigh’s secret marriage (which will include a spell in the Tower of London).
Walter Raleigh – Part 4 – The Search for El Dorado
On the outs with the queen, Raleigh makes a huge gamble by organizing an expedition to find the legendary El Dorado in Guyana (aka Guiana). In this episode we cover Raleigh’s expedition that he hopes will make him a fortune – and get him back into the good graces of Elizabeth.
Walter Raleigh – Part 5 – The sacking of Cadiz and two more Spanish Armadas
The war with Spain continues. Raleigh is badly injured in the attack and sacking of Cadiz, and King Philip organizes not just one new armada – but two – to try and finally overthrow Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Robert Devereux – the Earl of Essex – gets bolder and more powerful.
Walter Raleigh – Part 6 – Plots, treason and executions
In Part 6, Essex goes off the rails and plots seizing the throne. Then the death of Elizabeth sends Raleigh’s fortunes into a downward spiral that will lead to charges of treason.
Walter Raleigh – Part 7 – 13 years in the Tower, and back to Guyana
In part 7 of our series, Raleigh will spend 13 years in the Tower of London, only to be released to make a return to Guyana to – again – search for the legendary city of El Dorado.
Walter Raleigh – Part 8 – The Fight of His Life
In the wake of his disastrous Guyana venture, Raleigh faces a return to the Tower of London – or even worse – the gallows. Should he flee England? Or stay and face his accusers? In the final episode of our series, we chronicle Raleigh’s final, and deadliest challenge. We then wrap by taking a look at the legacy of the man.
Maps
This map shows key locations for Raleigh’s Guiana Expedition. The red border reflects the edge of the Orinoco Drainage Basin. Note that this a modern map – so the big lake on the map (Lago de Guri) is actually a modern reservoir – and did not exist in Raleigh’s time.
Click on the map to see a larger version.
Source – From Wikipedia.
Resources
Books on Walter Raleigh vary in quality. Older biographies are often filled with inaccuracies. The newer ones vary in quality. None of them were great. The two I found that worked best for my purposes were the following:
Sir Walter Raleigh, by Raleigh Trevelyan
Patriot or Traitor: The Life and Death of Sir Walter Ralegh, by Anna Beer
