Ralph Lane colony timeline

By grant_m24
  • 1554

    Oxford university

    Sir Ralph Lane attend Oxford university for collage
  • 1563

    Queen Elizabeth court

    In 1563 lane was serving in Queen Elizabeth's court this is the start to a career of service
  • 1570

    Maritime

    By the early 1570s, Lane had involved himself in maritime affairs which included a queen’s commission to seize ships in 1571
  • 1570

    His plans

    By the late 1570s and early 1580s, he was developing plans and offering his services in helping England struggle with Spain.

  • Got permission to explore

    In 1583, Lane received a commission to go to Ireland and direct the construction of forts.

  • He allowed to colonies the new world

    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.

  • Ships left

    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.

  • the colony

    Lane’s men explored the countryside with the intent of finding a better site for settlement. The colony suffered because of the lack of supplies and Lane’s lack of skill in dealing with the Indians. Eventually, Lane decided to abandon the colony. The conditions for success were not favorable due to the colony’s small size and the ravages of storms. On June 18 or 19, 1586, a fleet led by Sir Francis Drake left Roanoke carrying the first English colonists back home.

  • his last colonization

    Lane was never involved in another colonization expedition but remained active in service to his county.