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1554
Sir Ralph Lane
Lane, born to Sir Ralph Lane and Maud Parr Lane of Northampton, attended Oxford University in 1554 and served in the English Parliament in late 1550s and early 1560s -
1563
Serving Lane
By 1563 Lane was serving in Queen Elizabeth I’s court, marking the beginning of a career of service to queen and country. -
1569
Rebellion
Lane participated in a force that suppressed a rebellion in Scotland in 1569 where he gained accolades for his military skill. -
Period: 1570 to 1571
Queenś Commission
By the early 1570s, Lane had involved himself in maritime affairs which included a queen’s commission to seize ships in 1571. -
Period: 1570 to 1580
Helping England
By the late 1570s and early 1580s, he was developing plans and offering his services in helping England struggle with Spain. -
Received Commission
In 1583, Lane received a commission to go to Ireland and direct the construction of forts. -
Invitation
In 1585 the queen recalled Lane from Ireland and he was given command of the colony that Sir Walter Raleigh was organizing to sail to Virginia (Roanoke Island). Raleigh evidently personally invited Lane to command the land expedition.The company was organized as a military expedition with soldiers and support personnel but also included artist John White and scientist Thomas Harriot -
The storm
In April 1585, seven ships with about 600 men under the overall command of Sir Richard Grenville left England. After a storm scattered the fleet and reduced it to five ships, the company regrouped. They arrived at the Outer Banks by June. By August, the colony had come ashore and built a fort following an invitation from the Indians. Grenville’s fleet left at the end of August after being unable to secure a good harbor. -
Leaving
On June 18 or 19, 1586, a fleet led by Sir Francis Drake left Roanoke carrying the first English colonists back home.