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Walter Raleigh, who was a famous soldier and explorer, was born in England
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He was brave enough to defend his homeland against Ireland. As a result, Queen Elizabeth I heard about him.
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He paid for men to go to North America with the purpose of building the first English settlement on Roanoke Island (current North Carolina), but it was unsuccesful.
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They got back to England. However, he again sent men to North America. This time he succeeded due to the potatoes and tobacco they brought on their return to England.
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He secretly married one of the Queen's ladies. The Queen was furious because the couple hadn't asked her for permission. She threw them both into prision.
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He resumed his explorations and sailed to South America to look for the legendary El Dorado. He wanted gold for himself and the Queen. He didn't find El Dorado, and shortly after he had got back to England. The new King, James I, thought that Raleigh was working with enemies, therefore, Raleigh was arrested and eventually sent to prision in the Tower of London.
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He was released. Then,he set off a second expedition to find El Dorado. El Dorado is a Colombian legend that the Spaniards heard. It says that there was a city made of gold whose king covered himself with gold as an initiation rite. However, he didn't accomplish his aim. So he returned to England and he was arrested once more.
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Unfortunately, he was sentenced to death by an English Court. He was only 65 years old.
