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1541
Born?
Sir Ralph Lane first governor of Virginia was born in Lympstone. -
Period: 1541 to
Died
Ralph lane soon died at the age of 62 years old. -
1563
Queen Elizabeth
He entered the service of Queen Elizabeth. -
Sailed?
He sailed under Sir Richard Grenville, with whom he soon began to quarrel. Towards the end of June, they arrived at Woccon on the North Carolina Outer Banks and established a colony with Lane as governor. -
Wingina
He quarreled with Wingina, an Indian chief, who was attempting to organize neighboring tribes to attack Lane's group.Lane solved this problem by killing Wingina before the surrounding tribes convened and then managed to disperse the rest of the group. -
Sir Francis Drake
The next day Sir Francis Drake arrived and promised to leave men, supplies, and a ship. However, a hurricane blew the ship out to sea and plans were changed. -
Back to England
Lane returned to England and never again commanded a colonial expedition, probably to the benefit of everyone. -
Book!
Among the colonists of this Virginia expedition were John White, an artist, and Thomas Harriot, a mathematician, who took meticulous notes and made remarkably accurate drawings of the wildlife, fauna, and natives of the New World. These efforts have been preserved in their book, A briefe and true report of the new found land of Virginia, published. Lane wrote the foreword to this book. -
Muster Master
after Lane's return to England, he performed a series of petty tasks for the court, including the office of muster-master of the camp at West Tilbury in Essex and the next year as muster-master general of the army on the Spanish and Portuguese coast. -
Treatise?
Lane wrote another treatise on his experiences as a colonial commander and sent it to Lord Burghley. In it he emphasized the need for strict discipline to avoid illness among the soldiers. -
Sir William Fitzwilliam
Ralph was knighted by the lord deputy of Ireland, Sir William Fitzwilliam. -
Irish rebellion
Ralph Lane was badly wounded in an Irish rebellion.He never regained his strength and his office was generally neglected during the last years of his life.
