Discovery of Cape Horn
1st to sight Cape Horn
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Walter Raleigh Biography and Timeline
Follow Walter Raleigh through 27 dated historical records for England.
Walter Raleigh, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
27Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1520–1624Years on this page
1520
1569
Alliance Walter Raleigh and of the Hugenots
Fights in support of the Hugenots
Role range: 1642-1649
1581
Rebellion of Munster
Fights against the Munster rebels in Ireland & comes to the attention of Elizabeth I
Rebellion of Munster
Fights against the Munster rebels in Ireland & comes to the attention of Elizabeth I
1584
Royal Charter
Receives Elizabeth I's charter for discovery and planting in lands not held by Christian princes
Role range: 1618
Capture of Roanoke
Founds a colony on Roanoke Island for which he is knighted
1585
Knighthood
Receives a knighthood from Elizabeth I
Capture of Virginia
Founds a colony in Virginia
1587
Capture of London
Founds a colony in Virginia
Captain
Appointed Captain of the Queens Guard
1591
Marriage
Marries Elizabeth Throckmorton in secret, a Maid of Honour to Elizabeth I
1592
Arrest of Walter Raleigh
Imprisoned when Elizabeth I discovers his marriage to Elizabeth Throckmorton
1595
Discovery of El Dorado
Sets sail to discover El Dorado & explors the River Orinoco
1596
Siege of Cadiz
Carries out a raid on Cadiz
1597
Siege of Spanish Fleet
An unsuccesful attempt to destroy the new Spanish Armada & capture the silver fleet
1603
Arrest of Walter Raleigh
Arrested for allegedly plotting with Spain to place Arabella Stuart on the throne
Trial
Sentenced to death at his trial in Winchester
Main Plot
Lord Cobham, Lord Grey de Wilton, Griffin Markham and Walter Raleigh hatched what became known as the Main Plot, which involved removing James and his family and supplanting them with Arbella Stuart
1614
History of the World
Publication of "History of the World", written imprisoned in the Tower of London
1616
Arrest of Walter Raleigh
Released after 13 yrs
Discovery of Guiana
Agrees to undertake an expedition to Guiana in search of gold
Promises not to attack any Spannish possessions
Promises not to attack any Spannish possessions
1617
Discovery of Orinoco
Sets sail for the Orinoco
Discovery of Orinoco
Reaches the Orinoco
1624
Coup
Beheaded for his alleged involvement to overthrow James I in 1603
Death of Walter Raleigh
Beheaded for his alleged involvement to overthrow James I in 1603
Execution of Raliegh
Beheaded for his alleged involvement to overthrow James I in 1603
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.