In 1616, he was released to lead a second expedition in search of El Dorado. After Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, Raleigh was again imprisoned in the Tower, this time for being involved in the Main Plot against King James I, who was not favourably disposed towards him. In 1594, Raleigh heard of a 'City of Gold' in South America and sailed to find it, publishing an exaggerated account of his experiences in a book that contributed to the legend of ' El Dorado'.

After his release, they retired to his estate at Sherborne, Dorset. In 1591, he secretly married Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, without the Queen's permission, for which he and his wife were sent to the Tower of London. He was granted a royal patent to explore Virginia, paving the way for future English settlements. He rose rapidly in the favour of Queen Elizabeth I and was knighted in 1585. Later, he became a landlord of property in Ireland and mayor of Youghal in East Munster, where his house still stands in Myrtle Grove. In his 20s he took part in the suppression of rebellion in the colonisation of Ireland he also participated in the siege of Smerwick. Little is known of his early life, though in his late teens he spent some time in France taking part in the religious civil wars. He was the younger half-brother of Sir Humphrey Gilbert and a cousin of Sir Richard Grenville. Raleigh was born to a Protestant family in Devon, the son of Walter Raleigh and Catherine Champernowne. One of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era, he played a leading part in English colonisation of North America, suppressed rebellion in Ireland, helped defend England against the Spanish Armada and held political positions under Elizabeth I. 1552 – 29 October 1618) was an English statesman, soldier, writer, explorer, and a favourite courtier of Queen Elizabeth I. Sir Walter Raleigh ( / ˈ r ɔː l i, ˈ r æ l i, ˈ r ɑː l i/ c.

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