Ralph Lane Timeline

By aguinn0710
  • 1554

    Education

    Attend Oxford University
  • 1560

    Service

    English Parliament in late 1550's and early 1560's
  • 1563

    Career

    Lane was serving in Queen Elizabeth I’s court, marking the beginning of a career of service to queen and country.
  • 1569

    Scotland

    Suppressed rebellion in Scotland. He gained accolades for his military skill
  • 1570

    Ships

    By the early 1570s, Lane had involved himself in maritime affairs which included a queen’s commission to seize ships in 1571.
  • 1570

    Service in Spain

    Helped the people of England who were struggling with Spain.

  • Received Commissions

    Lane received a commission to go to Ireland and direct the construction of forts.

  • Returned Back to Help

    Ralph Lane returned home from Ireland to colonize Roanoke Island

  • Invite

    Raleigh evidently personally invited Lane to command the land expedition.

  • Storm

    After a storm scattered the fleet and reduced it to five ships, the company regrouped.

  • Soldiers

    The company was organized as a military expedition with soldiers and support personnel but also included artist John White and scientist Thomas Harriot.

  • 600 Men

    Sent 600 men over the sea and command byt Sir Richard Grenville.

  • Arrived

    They arrived at the Outer Banks by June.

  • Fort

    By August, the colony had come ashore and built a fort following an invitation from the Indians.