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| Sir Walter Raleigh |
Sir
Walter Raleigh was an intrepid explorer. The favorite of Queen Elizabeth I, he
introduced Ireland to the potato and tobacco to England. His place was happily set
until Elizabeth I died, and James I came from Scotland to take the throne.
Raleigh thought he’d remain high in the new Crown’s esteem, but he was wrong.
His
arrogance annoyed England’s new king, and Raleigh’s popularity with the people
irritated the powerful Cecil family. Within a few short weeks of James’
succession, Raleigh suggested James was not a good choice for England. That
sent the king’s dander flying, and gave the Cecils the opportunity to get rid
of Sir Walter. Raleigh was sentenced to death in November of 1603, but his
popularity with the people wouldn’t allow the execution. Instead, Raleigh was
thrown forthwith into the Tower where he languished for several years. He stayed
in the ‘Bloody Tower’ and walked along the parapets that is now ‘Raleigh’s
Walk’. His wife was allowed to be with him, and in 1605, they had another son,
named Carew.
It
must have been difficult never to be allowed anywhere but within a few feet of
your chambers and three servants. He had to pay for the room and board, plus
any coal used to keep warm. Finally, in 1617, Raleigh was allowed out of the
Tower, and sent to South America, where it was believed the Spanish still dug
treasure from the earth. The Cecil family took this and ran with it. They
betrayed Raleigh to the Spanish.
The
trip did not go well. Besides being attacked out of the jungle gate by the
Spanish, Raleigh lost a son (not Carew), and he became very ill. Upon Raleigh’s
return to England, James had him thrown back into the Tower.
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| A servant dousing Raleigh, thinking he was on fire |
Raleigh
was still high in regard with the populace. In order to avoid public outcry,
Sir Walter was sentenced to be executed October 29, 1618, Lord Mayor’s Day.
People would be involved in the Mayor’s pageantry, parties and such, and Sir
Walter’s death would hopefully go relatively unnoticed.
Here’s
where it gets interesting. People are really quite unique.
Sir
Walter Raleigh gave a long speech, denying any treasonous behavior, then he requested
to see the axe. He said, ‘This is sharp medicine but it is a physician for all diseases
and miseries.”
“Removing
his gown and doublet, he knelt over the block; as the executioner hesitated,
Raleigh exclaimed, ‘What dost thou fear? Strike, man, strike!’ The executioner
responded, bringing the heavy axe down, but a second stroke was necessary to
separate the head completely from the body.”
Normally,
the head of a traitor would be put on a pike on the south end of London Bridge,
but Raleigh’s was not. It is conjectured Raleigh was too popular, and his head
on display would show the king had tricked his people by killing one of their
favorites. As a result, Raleigh’s head was put in a red leather bag and given
to his wife for safekeeping.
Raleigh’s
body was buried in “the chancel near the altar of St Margaret’s, Westminster,
but Lady Raleigh had his head preserved and kept it with her for the next
twenty-nine years...” There was a belief that the brain held a person’s soul,
and to hold the head meant that person was always with one.
When
Lady Raleigh died, Sir Walter’s son (Carew) obtained his father’s head. They
say Sir Walter’s head was buried with Carew, but no one really knows.
Many
thanks go to Geoffrey Abbott, author of The
Gruesome History of Old London Bridge, Eric Dobby Publishing Ltd, 2008
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