Patriot or traitor : The life and death of Sir Walter Raleigh

Covering the period from the accession of James I to the death of Queen Anne, this companion provides a magisterial overview of the & lsquo;long' seventeenth century in British history. Comprises original contributions by leading scholars of the period Gives a magisterial overview of the & lsquo;long' seventeenth century Provides a critical reference to historical debates about Stuart Britain Offers new insights into the major political, religious and economic changes that occurred during this period Includes bibliographical guidance for students and scholars "'Talking much is a sign of vanity, for the man who is lavish with words is cheap in deeds.'--Sir Walter Ralegh. Sir Walter Ralegh was a writer, poet, soldier, politician, courtier, spy and explorer. He lived more lives than most in his own time, in any time. We do not even know when this fifth son of a Devonshire gentleman was born, yet he went on to 'climb full high' in the England of Queen Elizabeth I. How was such a man able to do this? His life was romantic, irresistible and of central importance to early modern history. Prone to periods of extreme melancholy alternating with extreme activity, here was a liar who believed his own lies. He had a hunger for life, a longing for death, a passion for words and a love of silk stockings. Always driven, and always consumed with wonder, Ralegh was a man who pored over maps, asking dangerous questions of the world around him. His death is a convoluted and contested tale of bargaining, failure and betrayal. Through the Elizabethan golden age and Ralegh's famous adventures to the final act, Anna Beer presents his stranger-than-fiction life in all its richness."--Jacket "The Companion's chapters, each written by a leading expert, guide readers through the maze of scholarly debates about Stuart Britain. They offer new insights into the enormous changes that occurred during this time; not only the Civil War and the establishment of a Protectorate, but also the intense intellectual and religious ferment and economic transformations of the era. They also set out issues currently of interest to historians, such as the rise of the fiscal state in Britain, and interactions between an integrated England and Wales and the separate kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland." "The volume will be of interest to academics and students wishing to keep up to date with new thinking on the period, but is also accessible enough to be enjoyed by a broader readership."--Jacket. Sir Walter Ralegh's life is romantic, irresistible and of central importance to our island story. His death is a convoluted and contested tale of bargaining, failure and betrayal. Through the Elizabethan golden age and Ralegh's famous adventures to the final act, Anna Beer presents his stranger-than-fiction life in all its richness. How could a man once the Queen's favourite find himself consigned to the Tower by her successor? Should his legacy be fame or infamy? Who was the real Sir Walter Ralegh? History;Biography;Britain;British;Ralegh;Walter Ralegh;Elizabeth I;Elizabethan;Queen;King;Prince;Tudor;Stuart;Explorer;New World;Renaissance;Early modern;Betrayal;Treason;Hero;America Sir Walter Ralegh's Life Is Romantic, Irresistible And Of Central Importance To Our Island Story. His Death Is A Convoluted And Contested Tale Of Bargaining, Failure And Betrayal. Through The Elizabethan Golden Age And Ralegh's Famous Adventures To The Final Act, Anna Beer Presents His Stranger-than-fiction Life In All Its Richness. How Could A Man Once The Queen's Favourite Find Himself Consigned To The Tower By Her Successor? Should His Legacy Be Fame Or Infamy? Who Was The Real Sir Walter Ralegh?--provided By Publisher. Anna Beer. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 299-301) And Index. Intro -- Note on spelling, orthography and pronunciation -- The scaffold: Winchester -- Part One -- 1. Soldier -- 2. Courtier -- 3. Coloniser -- 4. Sailor -- 5. Lover -- 6. Explorer -- 7. Writer -- 8. Rival -- 9. The last days of Elizabeth -- 10. The path to the scaffold -- The scaffold: Winchester -- Part Two -- 11. Defeat -- 12. Revival -- 13. Gold -- 14. Ralegh released -- 15. Dead man sailing -- 16. The last days of Ralegh -- 17. The last hours of Ralegh -- Epilogue -- Sir Walter Ralegh in his own words -- Image section -- Works consulted -- Acknowledgements -- Chronology -- Index

Visionary or charlatan? Toy boy or Renaissance man? Sexual predator or devoted family figure? Patriot or traitor? Ralegh biographer Anna Beer sheds light on the contested final days of one of the most famous figures from English historyA fitting tribute to England's most charismatic and controversial figure – will appeal to anyone with an interest in this thrilling period of Tudor and Stuart historyAnna Beer has been called both a 'Sir Walter Ralegh groupie' (on Woman's Hour) and his fiercest critic (in The Guardian). She proudly claims to be both.

A BBC History Magazine Book of the Year A writer, soldier, politician, courtier, spy and explorer, Sir Walter Ralegh lived more lives than most in his own time, in any time. The fifth son of a Devonshire gentleman, he rose to become Queen Elizabeth's favourite, only to be charged with treason by her successor. Less than a year after the death of his Queen, Ralegh was in the Tower, watching as the scene was set for his own execution. Patriot or Traitor is the dramatic story of his rise and fall. Covering the period from the accession of James I to the death of Queen Anne, this companion provides a magisterial overview of the 'long' 17th century in British history A major historical biography: the dramatic, harrowing and contested story of Sir Walter Ralegh