The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters PREVIEW: Epochs #233 | Sir Walter Raleigh
Oct 19, 2025
Explore the adventurous life of Sir Walter Raleigh, a key figure in Elizabethan exploration. Discover his ambitious attempts to establish colonies in North America and his pivotal role in defeating the Spanish Armada. Dive into his thrilling exploits in South America and the turbulent political landscape of the time. Learn about the envy Spain's dominance sparked across Europe and how privateering became a bold strategy for England. Raleigh's rise and fall paint a fascinating picture of ambition, intrigue, and eventual disgrace.
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England's Age Of Sea Adventurers
- England's major sea adventurers rose later than Magellan, mainly in the late 16th century.
- Sir Walter Raleigh and contemporaries operated during Elizabethan expansion and rivalry with Spain.
Spanish Wealth Built Global Power
- Spain became the dominant global power in the 16th century thanks to New World silver and gold.
- That wealth funded a large navy and global influence which other states envied.
Papal Claims Didn't Stop Protestants
- Other European powers resented Spain's monopoly created by papal agreements and colonisation.
- Protestant countries like England ignored papal prohibitions and sought their own opportunities.