Captain Sir Walter Raleigh,
Captain of the Guard
as portrayed by Jon Towson
I was brought into this world in 1552, some 33 years past, at Hayes-Barton, in Woodley Common, close to East Budleigh, in Devonshire. I played in those woods near my home, & it was there I developed a keen sense of adventure & exploration. A series of boyhood escapades led to my interest in campaigns and my fearlessness of the unknown. Growing up in such a pastoral setting, I enjoyed many past-tymes that befitted my family’s station, such as fishing in the trout brooks and hunting on horseback with my hounds for the elusive deer that populated the wood.
I did attend university at Oriel College, Oxford, in the year 1572. I found it, how’er, not to my satisfaction, as my wandering mind could not be contained in a classroom. Perchance the stories of pyrates and sailing adventures I heard tell of in the pubs captured a greater portion of my interest, more so than any school could. I do rather enjoy an afternoon’s repose in the company of the good gentles who do darken the doorways of the public houses. Many a fortune has been won and lost in the games to be played there.
Though I be of an age where many settle to wife and family, the paltry rewards of love and family can hold no sway over me when manly duty toward exploration, privateering and soldiering do call.
I have seen many an adventure ere my arrival at Court. Eight years past, I did order a four-masted ship be built in order to explore the newly discovered route to the West. I had plans for a voyage of discovery with my brother, Carew, and my half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert. Alas, heavy storms and desertions have ended those dreams.
Another voyage to the West with a fellow adventurer, Thomas Heriot, is much in my mind of late. Mr. Heriot is an incredible mathematician, astronomer, and a navigational expert. I count him as a dear friend and he will be of much use when attempting to chart the unknown seas. I fear Her Grace may again refuse to let me go, although I shall inquire at every opportunity, and perchance seek to persuade with a poetic tribute to Her Most Radiant and Glorious Majesty.
I am hoping my previous labors for Her Majesty will aid in funding this new endeavor. In the service of Sir Francis Walsingham I have in recent times proven myself to be an indispensable aide in gathering intelligence in Ireland. I was crucial to intercepting a plot against Her Majesty to supplant her with the Scottish Queen Mary. I fought there as well with my half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, in Her Majesty’s ranks to defeat the Irish rebels in their uprising at Munster. I have returned from that green island, and it makes me proud to admit that Her Majesty, for this service, knighted me at the Feast of the Epiphany in appreciation for my service to the Crown.Being at court has provided me with the invaluable opportunity to hold Her Majesty’s attention. My poetry does indeed please the royal humour and I am a most preferred companion to the Queen whilst riding, hunting, and hawking, which be her favorite amusements. Her Grace looks to me to advise the royal Court with matters of war as I am an excellent swordsman, sailor and tactician.
All prevailing talk at Court is of a great sea battle drawing near with the Spanish papists, against whom I shall be most eager to wage war in Her Majesty’s service. Yet, should it not come to pass, I look forward to petitioning the Queen to finance another expedition as I continue to enlarge Her Majesty’s realm in the known world.
God save the Queen!
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Last updated:
May 13, 2008
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