Sir Walter Raleigh died on 29 October 1618.

Who was Sir Walter Raleigh?

Sir Walter Raleigh was poet, Tudor Courtier and adventurer.

What is Sir Walter Raleigh famous for?

He led many expeditions to America and introduced tobacco and the potato into England. He chose the name of the first English colony in America. He named it Virginia after Queen Elizabeth.

It is said that he spread his cloak in front of Queen Elizabeth so that she did not have to stand in a puddle. There is no evidence to support this.

Life of Sir Walter Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh was born in 1554 in Devon. He was a handsome man with dark brown hair and was one of Elizabeth I's favourite courtiers. Elizabeth I knighted him. However, as Elizabeth didn't like her courtiers to fall in love with anyone except her, Sir Walter lost her friendship after he fell in love and married one of Elizabeth's maids of honour.

When James I came to the throne, Sir Walter was convicted of treason. He spent the next 13 years in the Tower, with a death sentence hanging over him. He used the time to start writing his History of the World.

Sir Walter was beheaded on 29 October 1618 for hampering the friendship between Britain and Spain.

Further information

The life of Sir Walter Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh - Channel 4 Site