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1554
Ralph Lane
He attended Oxford University. -
1563
Serving Queen
He served Queen Elizabeth marking the beginning of a career of service to queen and country -
1569
Army
He gained accolades for his military skills -
1580
maritime affairs
By the early 1570s, Lane had involved himself in maritime affairs which included a queen’s commission to seize ships in 1571. By the late 1570s and early 1580s, he was developing plans and offering his services in helping England struggle with Spain. -
ireland
In 1583 he received a commission to go to Ireland and direct the construction of forts. -
Virginia
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 -
the ships
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. -
came home
June 18 or 19, 1586, a fleet led by Sir Francis Drake left Roanoke carrying the first English colonists back home.