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SIR WALTER RALIEGH

Born: January 15, 1552

Died: October 29, 1618

Crime: Treason

 

Biography 

Walter Raleigh was born into a gentry’s family in Devon around 1552. He went to Oxford University. He later studied law in London. In 1578 Raleigh sailed to America. He helped to sponsor the first English colony in America on Roanoke Island. This establishment would soon disappear without a trace and fail. He was known for the introduction of potatoes and tobacco back to England. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth the I for his work in Ireland to suppress an uprising in Munster. The queen also made him a member of parliament.

 

Trial and Execution 

Raleigh’s fame began to go down when the queen found out about Raleigh’s secret marriage to one of her maids of honor. Raleigh and his wife were then imprisoned in the tower. James the I who was Elizabeth’s successor also had hate for Raleigh, and accused him in 1603 of plotting against the king and finally sentenced him to death. This was later reduced to a life of imprisonment. He spent the next 12 years in the Tower of London. After his release he went on another trip to El Dorado. This trip became an absolute failure. He also attacked the Spanish, which the King warned him not to. At the execution, which took place at the Palace of Westminster, he left a pouch of tobacco with a note that said it gave him happiness.  He was then sentenced and put to death on October 29,1618. When he was beheaded his head was then given to his wife.

Historic Significance 

Not only was he part of the nobility, but also another common  likelihood of people who were beheaded was committing  treason against the government, which he was believed to have done. Another common thing about beheading was parading the head around the city on a stick or giving it to a significant other, both of which happened with him.