Sir Walter Ralegh was of ... in Oxford: vide de hoc Anthony Wood's Antiquities.
<A 'poor' scholar.>
[776]In his youth for severall yeares—quaere Anthony Wood how long[777]—he was under streights for want of money. I remember that Mr. Thomas Child of Worcestershire told me that Sir Walter borrowed a gowne of him when he was at Oxford (they were both of the same College), which he never restored, nor money for it.
[778]Sir Walter Ralegh was of Oriel College. Mr. Child's father of Worcestershire was his chamber-fellow, and lent him a gowne, which he could never gett, nor satisfaction for it.—from Mr. Child.
<Raleigh in Elizabeth's reign.>
[779]He went into Ireland, where he served in the warres, and shewed much courage and conduct, but [LXVIII.]he would be perpetually differing with ... (I thinke, Gray) then Lord Deputy; so that at last the hearing was to be at <the> councell table before the queen, which was that he desired; where he told his tale so well and with so good a grace and presence that the queen tooke especiall notice of him and presently preferred him. (So that it must be before this that he served in the French warres.)
[LXVIII.] Quaere + Mr. Justice Ball.
[780]Queen Elizabeth loved to have all the servants of her Court proper men, and (as beforesaid Sir W. R.'s gracefull presence was no meane recommendation to him). I thinke his first preferment at Court was Captaine of her Majestie's guard. There came a countrey gentleman (or sufficient yeoman) up to towne, who had severall sonns, but one an extraordinary proper handsome fellowe, whom he did hope to have preferred to be a yeoman of the guard. The father (a goodly man himselfe) comes to Sir Walter Raleigh a stranger to him, and told him that he had brought up a boy that he would desire (having many children) should be one of her majestie's[781]guard. Quod Sir Walter Raleigh 'Had you spake for your selfe I should readily have graunted your desire, for your person deserves it, but I putt in no boyes.' Said the father, 'Boy, come in.' The son[782] enters, about 18 or 19, but such a goodly proper young fellow, as Sir Walter Raleigh had not seen the like—he was the tallest of all the guard. Sir Walter Raleigh sweares him immediately; and ordered him to carry-up the first dish at dinner, where the Queen beheld him with admiration[LXIX.], as if a beautifull young giant had stalked in with the service[783].
[LXIX.] Like Saul, taller by the head and shoulders then other men.