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His star began to wane. The Earl of Essx was beginning to monopolise the Queens favour, and Raleigh's affair with one of her maids-of-honour caused disgrace. A failed expedition in 1596 up the Orinoco River in South America to find the fabled El Dorado, and domestic politics damaged his reputation, and upon the accession of Charles I in 1603 he was arrested. It was as much a sop to the Spaniards as any perceived wrong-doing on his part that he was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death.  

His star began to wane. The Earl of Essx was beginning to monopolise the Queens favour, and Raleigh's affair with one of her maids-of-honour caused disgrace. A failed expedition in 1596 up the Orinoco River in South America to find the fabled El Dorado, and domestic politics damaged his reputation, and upon the accession of Charles I in 1603 he was arrested. It was as much a sop to the Spaniards as any perceived wrong-doing on his part that he was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death.  

Apart from a second attempt to find El Dorado in 1617 he spent his last 15 imprisoned in the Tower of London. He wrote poetry, mostly lost but some in print today, and wrote the first volume of his "History of the World". His second El Dorado expedition had caused further anger in Spain with the burning of the settlement of San Tomas; and at the insistence of the Spanish ambassador he was beheaded on 29October 1618.His last words, according to many biographers, were "Strike man, strike!" urging his executioner to decapitate him.  

Apart from a second attempt to find El Dorado in 1617 he spent his last 15 years imprisoned in the Tower of London. He wrote poetry, mostly lost but some in print today, and wrote the first volume of his "History of the World". His second El Dorado expedition had caused further anger in Spain with the burning of the settlement of San Tomas; and at the insistence of the Spanish ambassador he was beheaded on 29 October 1618.His last words, according to many biographers, were "Strike man, strike!" urging his executioner to decapitate him.  

   

   

In later years he often spelt his name "Rauley", which gives some indication of its pronunciation.

In later years he often spelt his name "Rauley", which gives some indication of its pronunciation.

He appears as a character in Sir Walter Scott's 1821 Waverley novel, Kenilworth. In 1940, [[Errol Flynn]] played a character based on Raleigh in the movie ''The Sea Hawk''.

He appears as a character in Sir Walter Scott's 1821 Waverley novel, Kenilworth. In 1940, [[Errol Flynn]] played a character based on Raleigh in the movie ''The Sea Hawk''.

References: "That Great Lucifer", Margaret Irwin. "The Oxford Companion  to English Literature"

References: "That Great Lucifer", Margaret Irwin.     "The Oxford Companion  to English Literature"

              

              

[[Category:Explorers|Raleigh, Sir Walter]]

[[Category:Explorers|Raleigh, Sir Walter]]