Sir Walter Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh (1552-1618) was a courtier, soldier, and man of letters, born near Budleigh, in East Devon, of ancient family. He entered as student at Oxford, but at 17 joined a small volunteer force in aid of the Protestants in France. In 1580, he distinguished himself in suppressing a rebellion in Ireland. In 1582, he was introduced at court, fascinated the heart of the Queen by his handsome presence and his gallant bearing, and received no end of favours at her hand.

Raleigh joined his half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, in an expedition to North America, founded a colony, which he called Virginia in honour of the queen, and brought home with him the potato and the tobacco plants, till then unknown in this country. He rendered distinguished services in the destruction of the Armada, visited and explored Guiana, and brought back tidings of its wealth in gold and precious things.

He fell into disfavour with the queen, but regained her esteem. Under King James he became suspected of disloyalty, and was committed to the Tower, where he remained 12 years, and wrote his "History of the World". On his release, but without a pardon, he set out to the Orinoco in quest of gold-mines there, but returned heart-broken and to be sentenced to die. He met his fate with calm courage, and was beheaded in the Old Palace Yard. Of the executioner's axe he smilingly remarked, "A sharp medicine, but an infallible cure".

Wisdom & Quotes

• The world itself is but a large prison out of which some daily are led to execution.

- While being led back to prison after his trial

Sir Edward Coke