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Context
Sir Walter Raleigh (ca. 1552–1618) was an English explorer, soldier, writer, and a favorite at the court of Queen Elizabeth I, who granted him a charter to explore North America. Although he sponsored the attempts in the 1580s to colonize Roanoke Island, located on the Eastern shore of North Carolina, he did not travel there himself. Raleigh (whose surname was also spelled Ralegh) became an important figure in England’s quest to eclipse Spain as one of the most powerful nations in Europe.
The first expedition arrived on the North Carolina coast in 1584, marking the first time that an English flag was raised in the New World. The English soon returned home, bringing with them two of the Indigenous emissaries who had met with them. Raleigh reported the landing to the queen and the territory was named Virginia, in honor of Elizabeth I, who was known as the Virgin Queen.
Raleigh planned to establish settlements from which privateers could raid and plunder the valuable Spanish ships sailing between Europe and its colonies in the New World. A second expedition with the aim of establishing a military harbor failed as did the final expedition led by John White in 1587. Raleigh's plan to enrich the English crown through privateering did not succeed and contributed to the launching of the Spanish Armada by the king of Spain in 1588 to invade England. The English defeated the Spanish and became a global naval power. Raleigh's support for the colony waned and when the English finally returned in 1590 the settlers had disappeared and Roanoke became known as the Lost Colony.
After Elizabeth I died in 1603, Raleigh was accused of plotting against her successor and spent much of the rest of his life imprisoned. After achieving his release, Raleigh undertook a voyage to South America, but after disobeying King James I's instructions to respect the Spanish settlements in the region, Raleigh was beheaded for treason.
This photograph was taken by Harry C. Mann of the copied portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh, after the original by Federico Zuccaro. This painting was part of a series of copies commissioned for the Jamestown Ter-centennial Exposition of 1907.
Citation: Portrait, Sir Walter Raleigh, Harry C. Mann Photograph Collection, Visual Studies Collection, Library of Virginia.
The first expedition arrived on the North Carolina coast in 1584, marking the first time that an English flag was raised in the New World. The English soon returned home, bringing with them two of the Indigenous emissaries who had met with them. Raleigh reported the landing to the queen and the territory was named Virginia, in honor of Elizabeth I, who was known as the Virgin Queen.
Raleigh planned to establish settlements from which privateers could raid and plunder the valuable Spanish ships sailing between Europe and its colonies in the New World. A second expedition with the aim of establishing a military harbor failed as did the final expedition led by John White in 1587. Raleigh's plan to enrich the English crown through privateering did not succeed and contributed to the launching of the Spanish Armada by the king of Spain in 1588 to invade England. The English defeated the Spanish and became a global naval power. Raleigh's support for the colony waned and when the English finally returned in 1590 the settlers had disappeared and Roanoke became known as the Lost Colony.
After Elizabeth I died in 1603, Raleigh was accused of plotting against her successor and spent much of the rest of his life imprisoned. After achieving his release, Raleigh undertook a voyage to South America, but after disobeying King James I's instructions to respect the Spanish settlements in the region, Raleigh was beheaded for treason.
This photograph was taken by Harry C. Mann of the copied portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh, after the original by Federico Zuccaro. This painting was part of a series of copies commissioned for the Jamestown Ter-centennial Exposition of 1907.
Citation: Portrait, Sir Walter Raleigh, Harry C. Mann Photograph Collection, Visual Studies Collection, Library of Virginia.
Standards
VS.1, VS. 3, USI.1 USI. 4, USI. 5, WHII.1, WHII.4, VUS.1, VUS.2, VUS.3
Suggested Questions
Preview Activity
Look at It: Look closely at the portrait of Raleigh and note his posture, facial expression, and clothes. What can you conclude about Raleigh the man and Raleigh the legend? Be specific.
Post Activity
Analyze: Virginians celebrated the 300th anniversary of the English settlement at Jamestown in 1907. Why might someone have commissioned a copy of this portait to be displayed at the Ter-centennial Exposition?
Political Plans: You are advising Raleigh as he is making plans to send explorers to the New World. Given what you know, what adivice woiuld you give him? Why? Explain in a prargraph.
Look at It: Look closely at the portrait of Raleigh and note his posture, facial expression, and clothes. What can you conclude about Raleigh the man and Raleigh the legend? Be specific.
Post Activity
Analyze: Virginians celebrated the 300th anniversary of the English settlement at Jamestown in 1907. Why might someone have commissioned a copy of this portait to be displayed at the Ter-centennial Exposition?
Political Plans: You are advising Raleigh as he is making plans to send explorers to the New World. Given what you know, what adivice woiuld you give him? Why? Explain in a prargraph.