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The Life (and Death) of Sir Walter Raleigh

By JKlep
  • Jan 1, 1552

    Born

    Born
    Walter Raleigh is born in Hayes Barton in East Budleigh, Devonshire, England.The exact date of his birth is unknown, and even the year is speculated to be between 1552 and 1554.
  • Jan 1, 1567

    WR joins the military.

    WR joins the military.
    As a teenager, WR joins a cavalry regiment in the Queen's army.
  • Jan 1, 1574

    WR gets an education.

    WR gets an education.
    WR begins attending Oriel College, Oxford.
  • Jan 1, 1575

    First Secret Society

    First Secret Society
    WR is invited to the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, which was apparently a thing in England in the 16th century.
  • Jan 1, 1578

    WR first visits America

    WR first visits America
    WR sails to America with his half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert.
  • Jan 1, 1579

    Baby Daddy, Pt. I

    Baby Daddy, Pt. I
    WR has an illegitimate daughter by Alice Goold, a local seamstress.
  • Jan 1, 1580

    The Irish Rebellion

    The Irish Rebellion
    WR helps to put down the Irish Rebellion and becomes a favorite of Queen Elizabeth. The Queen grants him several lucrative wine monopolies. He becomes rich
  • Period: Jan 1, 1580 to

    Poetry

    Nearly all of WR's famous peoms (including "Now What Is Love?") was written to, for, or about Queen Elizabeth I. This indicates that they were most likely written between his coming into the Court, and falling out of favor with her.
  • WR goes to America, Pt. II

    WR goes to America, Pt. II
    WR receives a grant to create a colony in America.
  • Roanoke Colony established

    Roanoke Colony established
    WR, with his crew of 108 men, lands in present-day Virginia, and established the Roanoke Colony.
  • WR becomes Sir WR

    WR becomes Sir WR
    Queen Elizabeth knights WR and makes him governor of a new territory. He names it "Virginia" to be a suck-up.
  • WR saves the Queen

    WR saves the Queen
    WR (with the help of Sir Francis Walsingham) discovers a plot to assasinate the Queen and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots. (known as the Babington Plot)
  • WR becomes Captain of the Queen's Guard

    WR becomes Captain of the Queen's Guard
    ... because all of that sucking-up paid off.
  • Married Elizabeth (Bessie) Throckmorton

    Married Elizabeth (Bessie) Throckmorton
    This marriage upset the Queen because Elizabeth was one of her ladies-in-waiting. As a result, the Queen sent WR to the Tower of London (which sounds awesome but was actually England's Guantanamo)
  • Baby Daddy, Pt. II

    Baby Daddy, Pt. II
    WR is released from the Tower. Shortly thereafter, he and Elizabeth have a son, who is also named Walter.
  • The Search for El Dorado

    The Search for El Dorado
    WR hears about a City of Gold in South America The following year he explores present-day Venezuela without success. His account of the expedition, "The Discovery of Guiana," contributed to the legend of El Dorado.
  • Parliament

    Parliament
    WR is chosen as a member of parliament for Dorset and Cornwall.
  • Regime Change

    Regime Change
    Queen Elizabeth I dies, and is succeeded by King James, son of Mary, Queen of Scots. the new King puts WR back in the Tower of London on charges of treason.
  • Baby Daddy, Pt. III

    Baby Daddy, Pt. III
    Walter and Elizabeth have another son, called Carew.
  • WR released from prison

    WR released from prison
  • WR travels to Guiana

    WR travels to Guiana
    Apparently Guiana is the Florida of England, because that's where he retires to.
  • Dies

    Dies
    WR is beheaded for accidentally attacking a Spanish settlement. Apparently, he should've asked his doctor before trying to attack the Spanish.