RALEIGH, SIR WALTER, a distinguished author and adventurer, was the fourth son of Walter Raleigh, Esq. of Fardel, in the parish of Cornwood in Devon shire, was born in 1552 at Hayes, in the parish of Bud ley, a farm which formed part of his father's property. By his mother's side he was nearly connected with those celebrated knights, Sir John, Sir Humphrey, and Sir Adrian Gilbert.
After receiving the common school education of that period, he was sent to Oriel College, Oxford, where he was noticed for his proficiency in his studies ; but he remained here only a short time, and was hurried into a less peaceful career by his passion for military adven ture. • At the early age of seventeen, he went as one of the hundred volunteers under Henry Champernon, whom Quccn Elizabeth sent, with other English troops, to France, to assist the queen of Navarre in defending the protestants who were then severely oppressed. In this service, he studied the art of war for five or six years, but it does not appear how he escaped the dread ful massacre of St. Bartholomew, which extended through several of the provinces of France. In the year 1575, he returned to England, and took up his residence in the Middle Temple, from which we find a commendatory poem 'dated, which is prefixed to a work of George Gascoigne's, in 1576. In 1577, he embarked for the Netherlands, along with the troops which the queen sent to the assistance of the Dutch against Spain, and in this adventure he occupied him self in acquiring much useful knowledge, independ ently of military experience ; and, when he return ed to his own country, he was regarded as one of the best bred and most accomplished gentlemen in England.
Sir Humphrey Gilbert, the half-brother of Raleigh, obtained a patent to plant, colonize, and explore some parts of North America. In this adventure, Gilbert was aided by several of his friends, and Raleigh entered into the scheme with a zeal corresponding to his love of enterprise and wealth. This expedition turned out a very unfortunate one to its projectors. The ships met
with a Spanish fleet, and after a smart engagement, they returned without success in the spring of 1579, Raleigh having obtained no other advantage but a knowledge of naval service, which contributed so much to his future aggrandisement.
Pope Gregory VIII. having in conjunction with the King of Spain, projected a total subjugation of Eng land, had sent troops, money, and military stores to Ire land, to aid the Desmonds in the Monster rebellion. Raleigh offered his services to the queen on this occa sion, and obtaining a captain's commission under Lord Grey of Wilton, then deputy of Ireland, he embarked for that kingdom, and by his services in Munster un der the Earl of Ormond, he contributed to quell this ill-devised commotion. His skill and personal courage raised him to the situation of Governor of Cork, and, as a reward for his services, he obtained from the crown the grant of a considerable estate in Ireland. A mis understanding, however, having taken place with Lord Grey, his further promotion in Ireland was stopped ; and he returned to England, where he was introduced to Queen Elizabeth, and speedily insinuated himself into the Royal favour. His-handsome personal appear ance, his elegant address, and that air of gallantry which Elizabeth so much admired, contributed no doubt to fix upon hint the queen's particular attention. An accident, however, of a more trivial nature, is said to have had its full share in securing him the royal fa vour. When Raleigh was one day in attendance upon her majesty, in her morning walk, they arrived at a part of the road which was wet and covered with mud. The party had scarcely recognised that the path was but little fitted for royal footsteps, when Raleigh took off his rich embroidered mantle and spread it on the ground. Her majesty, pleased and surprised with this unpremeditated piece of gallantry, stepped gently upon the cloak, and is said to have jocularly remarked, that this sacrifice of a cloak might obtain for him many a good suit.