CONTENTS
| CHAPTER I | |
| BIRTH | PAGE |
| The spread of news—Birth—Influence of birthplace—Hisfather—His mother | [1] |
| CHAPTER II | |
| EARLY DAYS | |
| His early going to Oxford—Old Ascham on quick wit andeducation—Life at a University—The Queen at Oxford—Tothe wars in France—Henry Champernoun—Storiesof the wars | [11] |
| CHAPTER III | |
| TOWARDS MANHOOD | |
| Friendship with George Gascoyne—Its importance—Raleghin London—The arch-gossip Aubrey—ElizabethanLondon—Ralegh and Sir Humfrey Gilbert—The beginningof the great enterprise | [21] |
| CHAPTER IV | |
| THE ARRIVAL | |
| In Ireland—The state of the country—Cruelty of the wars—AtRakele—Illustrative anecdotes—Smerwick—Ralegh'sinitiative—Lord Grey de Wilton—Exploit at Bally—Intouch with the home authorities | [33] |
| CHAPTER V | |
| QUEEN'S FAVOURITE | |
| Court life—The Queen's position—Her character—She takesnotice of Ralegh—Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester—SirPhilip Sidney—Burghley, the Lord High Treasurer, andWalsingham—Robert Cecil—The dress of the courtier—Thelanguage of the courtier—The other side, and theother Queen—Mary, Queen of Scots—The great intrigue—Itsdiscovery—Death of Queen Mary | [44] |
| CHAPTER VI | |
| THE GREAT ENTERPRISE | |
| Scheme of colonization—Preparation—The sailing—Queen'sinterest—Death of Sir Humfrey Gilbert—Anothercharter obtained—King Wingina—Hospitality—SirRichard Grenville—Difficulties of first colonists—Personaloutfit—Misfortune | [71] |
| CHAPTER VII | |
| BUSINESS MAN | |
| The Stannaries—His grasp of detail—"Do it with thy might"—Estimateof squadron—Scheme of coast defence—Theclash-mills of Mr. Crymes—Irish plans | [88] |
| CHAPTER VIII | |
| AGAINST SPAIN | |
| Spain's enmity—The Armada—Ralegh's opinion of tactics—WithSir Francis Drake and Sir John Norreys—Theprivateers | [97] |
| CHAPTER IX | |
| RALEGH AND SPENSER | |
| Rise of Essex—Ralegh retires to Ireland—At Kilcolman—AtYoughal—Friendship with Spenser—Brings Spenserto Court—Their dreams | [106] |
| CHAPTER X | |
| EVIL TIMES | |
| Ralegh and the Puritans—John Udall—Blount—Ralegh'smarriage—Queen's anger—In the Tower—His sincerity—TheEpisode in the "Faërie Queene"—Madre de Dios—RobertCecil—Sherborne | [114] |
| CHAPTER XI | |
| THE KINGDOM IN GUIANA | |
| Ralegh leaves England—Arrives at Trinidad—Taking ofS. Joseph—Interviews with Berreo—Dealings withnatives—Starts up the river in boats—Dangers overcome—Adventures—Theyreach River Amana—Indian village—Withinsight of Guiana—Toparimaca—Beauty of theland—Falls of the Caroli—The return—Voyage home—Arrivalin England | [127] |
| CHAPTER XII | |
| CADIZ AND FAYAL | |
| Division of command—Ralegh's delay—Unwillingness ofmen to serve—Disputes—Ralegh's wise plan of action—Theattack—The sack—Ralegh wounded—His smallshare of spoil—Return home—Sends ship to Guiana—Deathof Lady Cecil—Robert Cecil's policy—Expeditionto Azores—Fayal—Quarrel with Essex | [150] |
| CHAPTER XIII | |
| THE UNDERMINING | |
| Robert Cecil in power—Downfall of Essex—Ralegh's opinionof Essex—Governor of Jersey—Peril imminent | [167] |
| CHAPTER XIV | |
| SUCCESSION PLOTS | |
| Possible successors to Elizabeth—Lord Henry Howard—Spies—Ralegh'sposition—The net is drawn round him—Letterof Cecil—Last illness and death of Elizabeth—Carey'sride to the North | [178] |
| CHAPTER XV | |
| THE TRIAL | |
| Arrival of James VI. of Scotland—Ralegh in immediatedisfavour—Gondomar comments on James—Raleghaccused of treason—Cobham and Brooke—Raleghattempts suicide—Cobham's retractions—November 17—Andthe trial's infamy | [195] |
| CHAPTER XVI | |
| THE KING'S FARCE | |
| Comments on Ralegh's fall—In the prison at Winchester—Raleghbegs mercy—His attitude explained—The King'sown farce—Ralegh removed to London | [227] |
| CHAPTER XVII | |
| THE LONG IMPRISONMENT | |
| Ralegh's efforts to avert complete ruin—True greatness—Keepsin touch with life—First two years—The history—Thefirst sentence—Reasons for incompleteness—James'sdislike of the work—Its greatness | [238] |
| CHAPTER XVIII | |
| THE LAST JOURNEY | |
| Ralegh's influence with Queen and Prince Henry—Death ofRobert Cecil—Rise of Villiers—Liberty—The undyingendeavour—Anecdote—Preparations for expedition—Delaysand uncertainty—The King's treachery—Theexpedition starts—Further delays—Storms—CaptainBailey—Ralegh's illness—At Terra de Bri—His son'sdeath—Return of Keymis—Suicide of Keymis—Mutiny—Thereturn | [253] |
| CHAPTER XIX | |
| DEATH | |
| His reception—Arrest—Journey from Plymouth—Stukeleyand Manourie—The final scene | [287] |
| Index | [305] |
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
| SIR WALTER RALEGH | [Frontispiece] |
| FACING PAGE | |
| THE BIRTHPLACE OF SIR WALTER RALEGH, BUDLEIGH-SALTERTON From a Photograph by F. Frith & Co., Ltd. | [6] |
| FRANCIS BACON | [14] |
| MAP OF LONDON By kind permission of Dr. F. J. Furnivall | [26] |
| QUEEN ELIZABETH | [46] |
| WILLIAM CECIL, LORD BURGHLEY | [54] |
| MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS | [68] |
| A SAILING SHIP IN THE TIME OF RALEGH | [78] |
| GENERAL VIEW OF LONDON From Thornton's "London," 1784 | [100] |
| ROBERT CECIL | [124] |
| KING JAMES I. | [195] |
| COUNT ARENBERGH | [206] |
| HENRY PRINCE OF WALES | [254] |
| PHILIP III. OF SPAIN | [260] |
| SIR WALTER RALEGH From an Engraving by Vaughan | [270] |
| TRAITOR'S GATE | [294] |