Sir Walter Raleigh

1552

Born to a gentry family in the West Country. Educated locally

1578

Given command of his first ship, Falcon. Served in France as a volunteer in the Protestant army and commanded a company in Ireland

1581

Returned to court, where his ‘dashing and flamboyant’ nature caught Elizabeth’s attention. He became a close favourite, but was resented by Hatton

1585-88

Knighted by Elizabeth, made Captain of the Queen’s Bodyguard and granted vast estates in England and Ireland plus the monopoly of playing cards
Appointed Vice-Admiral of Devon and Cornwall. Queen invested in his privateering expeditions against Spain

1588

Named Virginia in Elizabeth’s honour and introduced potatoes and tobacco to court

1595

Sent to the Tower for getting Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the Queen’s maid of honour, pregnant. Although eventually reinstated at court and entrusted with various diplomatic missions, his days as a trusted courtier were over