Why was Sir Walter Raleigh executed?
James I was the king who had Raleigh executed. James’ foreign policy was peace, especially with Spain. However Raleigh had, during the previous reign (that of Elizabeth i) fought against the Spanish during the Armada expedition and in the Americas, and had claimed lands in North America for England. The Spanish regarded these areas as their preserve and sphere of influence;essentially they regarded Raleigh as a pirate and wanted to get even with him for what he had done during Elizabeth’s reign. A central part of James’ policy of peace with Spain was the Spanish Match – a marriage between his son Charles and the Spanish Infanta.This would also bring a sizable dowry, so James needed to keep the Spaniards happy.Raleigh had been imprisoned since 1603 on trumped up charges of treason; he was released in 1616 to lead an expedition to Venezuela (controlled by Spain) to seek El Dorado. James must have known that conflict between Raleigh and the Spanish was inevitable, and there was an attack
