The date is March 1603. Queen Elizabeth I is dying.

Raleigh knows that he needs to schmooze the incoming monarch King James I so hires some help to turn his image around.

It's true that he started as a soldier in Ireland. And he wrote back to England regularly. He was then appointed Extraordinary Esquire of the Body to Elizabeth. The puddle story has never been proved but it's a good one! He did create a group of men that attended Durham House to talk about importance issues of the day. It's true that when he saw Sherborne Castle he did fall off his horse.

It's true that he was commissioned to found Virginia but never actually went himself. He did try and find the original colonists for years afterwards. He was a big fan of hammocks and whilst he tried to portray himself as a naval hero, he didn't actually achieve his objectives.

The story of his wife Bess is true as is the fact he ended up in the Tower. He did indeed pay to get out. But left his wife in there. Charming. He did write several books and did have an editor which is why a lot of information was 'changed' to be more palatable. The story about writing haste for thy life on post is true. He did love pineapples. He did wear a pearl earring from one ear (image 1) and it's true that he didn't bring tobacco back nor did he find the potato.

If you want to find out more about Raleigh, check out the sources and places below:

Patriot or Traitor: The Life and Death of Sir Walter Raleigh - Anna Beer

Tower of London