Sir Walter Raleigh, English explorer

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Sir Walter Raleigh, English explorer

Sir Walter Raleigh (c.1552-1618), English explorer. Raleigh was born in Devon into a noble family. In early life he took part in the suppression of rebellions in Ireland, gaining considerable land as well as the favour of Queen Elizabeth I who knighted him. He explored and colonised Viriginia on behalf of the Crown. He fell out of favour by marrying one of the Queens ladies-in-waiting, for which he and his wife were sent to the Tower of London. He was later released and mounted expeditions in South America looking for the famed City of Gold. After Elizabeth I died, Raleigh was implicated in a plot against James I and imprisoned again. Released once more, he mounted an attack on a Spanish colony in San Thome, and on his return was prosecuted and beheaded. This engraving by Houbraken comes from Birchs The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain, published at london in 1747

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Media ID 6296789

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1500s 1600s 16th 17th Century Courtier Elizabethan Knight Navigator Sailor Soldier Vertical Virginia Mono Chrome Sir Walter Raleigh

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the essence of Sir Walter Raleigh, an influential English explorer from the 16th and 17th centuries. Born into a noble family in Devon, Raleigh's life was filled with remarkable adventures and dramatic turns of fate. Initially gaining favor with Queen Elizabeth I through his participation in suppressing rebellions in Ireland, he was knighted and granted substantial land. Raleigh's most notable achievement was his exploration and colonization of Virginia on behalf of the Crown. However, his marriage to one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting led to their imprisonment in the Tower of London. Despite being released later on, he embarked on expeditions to South America in search of the legendary City of Gold. Unfortunately for Raleigh, his fortunes took a dark turn after Elizabeth I passed away. He became entangled in a plot against James I and found himself imprisoned once again. Following another release, he launched an attack on a Spanish colony but faced prosecution upon returning home and ultimately met a tragic end by beheading. The engraving featured here is part of Birchs The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain published in London during 1747. It showcases Raleigh as a distinguished figure donning traditional attire from that era while holding courtier-like poise. This monochrome portrait provides us with an intriguing glimpse into the life and legacy of this renowned English explorer whose name will forever be associated with adventure, ambition, and tobacco smoking - an emblematic symbol representing an era long gone yet still etched within history's pages.

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