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Elizabethan #3
Raleigh: Tudor Adventurer
Tudor adventurer, courtier, explorer and poet, Sir Walter Raleigh has been called the last true Elizabethan.
He didn’t dance or joust, didn’t come from a noble family, or marry into one. So how did an impoverished law student become a favourite of the queen, and Captain of the Guard?
The story which began with the Tudor trilogy follows Walter Raleigh from his first days at the Elizabethan Court to the end of the Tudor dynasty.
He didn’t dance or joust, didn’t come from a noble family, or marry into one. So how did an impoverished law student become a favourite of the queen, and Captain of the Guard?
The story which began with the Tudor trilogy follows Walter Raleigh from his first days at the Elizabethan Court to the end of the Tudor dynasty.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2022
52 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Tony Riches
27 books471 followersTony Riches is a full-time author from Pembrokeshire, West Wales, an area full of inspiration for his writing.
Best known for his Tudor Trilogy, Tony's other international best sellers include 'Mary - Tudor Princess, 'Brandon - Tudor Knight' and 'Katherine - Tudor Duchess'.
In his spare time Tony enjoys sailing and sea kayaking. Visit Tony's website at www.tonyriches.com, Tony Riches Author on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @tonyriches.
Best known for his Tudor Trilogy, Tony's other international best sellers include 'Mary - Tudor Princess, 'Brandon - Tudor Knight' and 'Katherine - Tudor Duchess'.
In his spare time Tony enjoys sailing and sea kayaking. Visit Tony's website at www.tonyriches.com, Tony Riches Author on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @tonyriches.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 4, 2022
There are prize winning books based on the lives of the Tudors. I'm thinking of Hilary Mantell and Alison Weir among others. And then there is Tony Riches. Raleigh is the ninth book about various Tudors from this prolific writer of historical fiction.
The first thing to say about this book is that it is meticulously researched and carefully avoids the myths and legends that surround the Elizabethan adventurer. What we get instead is a portrait of the man and his career. One of the myths that Riches destroys is that Raleigh was Queen Elizabeth's favourite. On the contrary, he is constantly disappointed at her rejection of his plans and her preferment of others, especially Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex and, later, Robert Cecil.
In this interpretation of Raleigh's life he comes across as a man not unlike a modern entrepreneur: able to persuade others to invest in his adventures on the promise of excellent returns, equally able to delegate responsibility for the management of his estates and other enterprises to others.
It is difficult to understand how men like William Langherne, his first secretary, lost overboard off the coast of Ireland, and Thomas Harriot who became Langherene's replacement, after serving for years as the principle organiser of his North American expeditions, were able to remain loyal to him.
He has little regard for the orders of his superiors, willing to disobey if he can see a better way to achieve the desired objective. Many of his ambitions are either thwarted or end in failure. Settlers recruited for his 'colonies' in Ireland and Virginia are decimated by 'native' rebels.
Admirers of Hilary Mantell would no doubt be unimpressed by the lightness of this portrait. That is not to belittle Riches' work. On the contrary, the simplicity of his style makes the stories he tells accessible to a much wider readership. It is a reason he has earned the accolade as Amazon best selling author, why his blog has over a million views and his podcasts 150,000 downloads.
I'm happy to recommend this book to anyone interested in the Tudors and to award it four stars.
The first thing to say about this book is that it is meticulously researched and carefully avoids the myths and legends that surround the Elizabethan adventurer. What we get instead is a portrait of the man and his career. One of the myths that Riches destroys is that Raleigh was Queen Elizabeth's favourite. On the contrary, he is constantly disappointed at her rejection of his plans and her preferment of others, especially Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex and, later, Robert Cecil.
In this interpretation of Raleigh's life he comes across as a man not unlike a modern entrepreneur: able to persuade others to invest in his adventures on the promise of excellent returns, equally able to delegate responsibility for the management of his estates and other enterprises to others.
It is difficult to understand how men like William Langherne, his first secretary, lost overboard off the coast of Ireland, and Thomas Harriot who became Langherene's replacement, after serving for years as the principle organiser of his North American expeditions, were able to remain loyal to him.
He has little regard for the orders of his superiors, willing to disobey if he can see a better way to achieve the desired objective. Many of his ambitions are either thwarted or end in failure. Settlers recruited for his 'colonies' in Ireland and Virginia are decimated by 'native' rebels.
Admirers of Hilary Mantell would no doubt be unimpressed by the lightness of this portrait. That is not to belittle Riches' work. On the contrary, the simplicity of his style makes the stories he tells accessible to a much wider readership. It is a reason he has earned the accolade as Amazon best selling author, why his blog has over a million views and his podcasts 150,000 downloads.
I'm happy to recommend this book to anyone interested in the Tudors and to award it four stars.
September 12, 2022
It is particularly important that, as well as telling a good story, an historical novel makes the reader feel comfortable with the era being covered: informative enough to be interesting, entertaining enough to make one want to find out more. It is so easy for a book to turn into an information dump.
Fortunately, within a few pages, I knew I was in expert hands, and settled down to enjoy “Raleigh”, marvelling at the life of a true adventurer. I loved that fact that Riches sets the opening scenes in the London of the theatre, introducing the romantic poetry-writing side of Raleigh which runs through the novel. The reader is reminded of the many facets of a true Elizabethan, the intelligence and fascination with learning, as well as the thirst for war and adventure which is nowadays so alien.
And this is what I take away from this book, that a man like Raleigh was so full of schemes, so outward-looking that he never seems to stay still. I had not been aware of his own many voyages nor of his exploits in Ireland, and it gave me a much better understanding of his willingness to risk his wealth in setting up a colony in Virginia. Here is a man who takes risks almost as a matter of course, for whom the horizon is always thousands of miles in front of him, and nevertheless makes straight for it whenever he can.
Raleigh is narrator in this book, and a straightforward one, though he lets more slip than maybe he realises: notably, his personal relationships, despite the protestations of love for his wife and sons, clearly take second place to his restless spirit. When he is younger, his loyalty to his Queen and his need for her favour seem to be a result of this restlessness and it is an older and wiser Raleigh who, at the end of the book, grieves for his royal mistress and cannot trust her successor.
On reaching the end I did expect that Riches would be continuing Raleigh’s story with the exploits under James 1, surely as fascinating as anything in his earlier life. But this book is the third in a trilogy of Elizabethan characters, and the author’s note indicates that he is heading in another direction. I am hoping there may be a time when Raleigh is called for duty once more.
Fortunately, within a few pages, I knew I was in expert hands, and settled down to enjoy “Raleigh”, marvelling at the life of a true adventurer. I loved that fact that Riches sets the opening scenes in the London of the theatre, introducing the romantic poetry-writing side of Raleigh which runs through the novel. The reader is reminded of the many facets of a true Elizabethan, the intelligence and fascination with learning, as well as the thirst for war and adventure which is nowadays so alien.
And this is what I take away from this book, that a man like Raleigh was so full of schemes, so outward-looking that he never seems to stay still. I had not been aware of his own many voyages nor of his exploits in Ireland, and it gave me a much better understanding of his willingness to risk his wealth in setting up a colony in Virginia. Here is a man who takes risks almost as a matter of course, for whom the horizon is always thousands of miles in front of him, and nevertheless makes straight for it whenever he can.
Raleigh is narrator in this book, and a straightforward one, though he lets more slip than maybe he realises: notably, his personal relationships, despite the protestations of love for his wife and sons, clearly take second place to his restless spirit. When he is younger, his loyalty to his Queen and his need for her favour seem to be a result of this restlessness and it is an older and wiser Raleigh who, at the end of the book, grieves for his royal mistress and cannot trust her successor.
On reaching the end I did expect that Riches would be continuing Raleigh’s story with the exploits under James 1, surely as fascinating as anything in his earlier life. But this book is the third in a trilogy of Elizabethan characters, and the author’s note indicates that he is heading in another direction. I am hoping there may be a time when Raleigh is called for duty once more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2022
Tony Riches has bought back to life Sir Walter Raleigh a great read from a not so privilege background to one of Elizabeth I leading men at court until his last visit to the Tower of London
June 11, 2022
I was first introduced to Tony Riches when I read his Tudor Trilogy, about the founding and growth of the Tudor family. With his latest series – the Elizabethans - he populates the Elizabethan court with some of the outstanding characters of the day. The first book had the reader sailing with Sir Francis Drake, the second in the middle of rebellion with Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. In this book, the reader accompanies Sir Walter Raleigh (or Rawley as he was earlier called) from his days as an impoverished law student to the lively and glittering court of Elizabeth I. He doesn’t dance or joust, doesn’t come from a noble family, nor marry into one. He just has an overweening ambition to be a courtier, to wear the rich clothes, and to have the ear of the Queen.
Raleigh is an adventurer from the start, taking part in the religious civil wars in France in his late teens, then in the suppression of a rebellion in Ireland. Raleigh proceeds to finish his education in the Inns of the Court and then is admitted to Middle Temple, which is one of the four Inns of the Court exclusively entitling him as a member of the English Bar as a barrister. He has absolutely no interest in the law and decides he can most easily attain his goals by adventure and piracy. With financial backing from his family – his cousin Sir Richard Grenville and a younger half-brother Sir Humphrey Gilbert – he opts for sea-going adventures to fill his coffers with Spain’s gold, along with those of the Queen, in an attempt to get her attention. He is successful enough to become one of the principal landowners and colonists in Munster, Ireland, for seventeen years. His Irish estates ran into difficulties that contributed to a decline in his fortunes, but he finally becomes a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I because of his efforts at increasing the Protestant Church in Ireland. In 1585, Raleigh is knighted by Queen Elizabeth, whose ear he did have from time to time. She grants Raleigh a royal charter authorizing him to explore, colonize and rule any heathen lands in the New World, in return for one-fifth of all the gold and silver that might be mined there.Most of us know the story of Raleigh in the New World and the lost colonists of Roanoke. No gold and silver are found by the expeditions he funded, but he himself leads expeditions to the Orinoco river basin in South America in search of the golden city of El Dorado, which he never finds.
The author has done an amazing amount of research to bring the people in Raleigh’s circle to life and to let the reader experience the highs and lows of his time at court, and his longer time away from it. Raleigh loved Queen Elizabeth and his choice of his life’s paths are always made with her in mind, to the detriment of himself and his family. Riches introduces such notable nobles as Sir Francis Walsingham and the poet Edmund Spenser, and sets the years of Raleigh’s life against an authentic backdrop of the Court, its unending intrigues, and the history of the time. The clothing, food, and customs do not elude the author’s attention, so the reader becomes embedded in the times.
The book ends with the death of Elizabeth, and perhaps that is for the best because the remaining years of Raleigh’s life under the rule of James I were unfortunate. The reader is left with the image of a man who seeks adventure – who, despite or perhaps because of his lowly origins, is determined and focused in his pursuit of wealth and a courtier’s life – and who is also in love with his Queen.
I highly recommend yet another well-written and richly ornamented book by Tony Riches.
Raleigh is an adventurer from the start, taking part in the religious civil wars in France in his late teens, then in the suppression of a rebellion in Ireland. Raleigh proceeds to finish his education in the Inns of the Court and then is admitted to Middle Temple, which is one of the four Inns of the Court exclusively entitling him as a member of the English Bar as a barrister. He has absolutely no interest in the law and decides he can most easily attain his goals by adventure and piracy. With financial backing from his family – his cousin Sir Richard Grenville and a younger half-brother Sir Humphrey Gilbert – he opts for sea-going adventures to fill his coffers with Spain’s gold, along with those of the Queen, in an attempt to get her attention. He is successful enough to become one of the principal landowners and colonists in Munster, Ireland, for seventeen years. His Irish estates ran into difficulties that contributed to a decline in his fortunes, but he finally becomes a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I because of his efforts at increasing the Protestant Church in Ireland. In 1585, Raleigh is knighted by Queen Elizabeth, whose ear he did have from time to time. She grants Raleigh a royal charter authorizing him to explore, colonize and rule any heathen lands in the New World, in return for one-fifth of all the gold and silver that might be mined there.Most of us know the story of Raleigh in the New World and the lost colonists of Roanoke. No gold and silver are found by the expeditions he funded, but he himself leads expeditions to the Orinoco river basin in South America in search of the golden city of El Dorado, which he never finds.
The author has done an amazing amount of research to bring the people in Raleigh’s circle to life and to let the reader experience the highs and lows of his time at court, and his longer time away from it. Raleigh loved Queen Elizabeth and his choice of his life’s paths are always made with her in mind, to the detriment of himself and his family. Riches introduces such notable nobles as Sir Francis Walsingham and the poet Edmund Spenser, and sets the years of Raleigh’s life against an authentic backdrop of the Court, its unending intrigues, and the history of the time. The clothing, food, and customs do not elude the author’s attention, so the reader becomes embedded in the times.
The book ends with the death of Elizabeth, and perhaps that is for the best because the remaining years of Raleigh’s life under the rule of James I were unfortunate. The reader is left with the image of a man who seeks adventure – who, despite or perhaps because of his lowly origins, is determined and focused in his pursuit of wealth and a courtier’s life – and who is also in love with his Queen.
I highly recommend yet another well-written and richly ornamented book by Tony Riches.
November 4, 2022
I found the first book in the Elizabethan saga to be interesting and enjoyable but this one is unfortunately absolutely boring. There is so much material about Raleigh's life that was exciting and inspirational but he also was a bit of a rogue and a courtier with more than just a few run-ins with the queen's privacy Council, effectively the law of the land regardless of Parliament and other foundations of governance. The Queen was not obligated to accept any external body of law but she did so for issues of control over consequence.
But the tone and quality of narrative is dull and dry. The sad presentation is simply not very interesting and I suspect that's because there is only just so much reading you can do on the subject. Walter Raleigh was someone who kept his wits AND HIS HEAD throughout the reign of Elizabeth I. While a rather depressed individual he nevertheless did make several excursions to the "New World", including helping to fund and populate at least two of the settlements known today to be parts of Virginia and North Carolina. Especially credited with the settlement of Roanoke, remembered as the " Lost Colony". And otherwise he stood absolutely confident the early development of the first settlers was destined to be the most wealthy and established, but he never achieved that level of accord and accomplishment with true potential. Raleigh had three different expeditions to the Azores, the Turks, and Trinidad. He was a favorite of Elizabeth but fell from grace by daring to marry one of her ladies in waiting, Elizabeth Throckmorton without the express permission of the queen. He and his wife were both imprisoned in the tower until eventually the queen released them and granted Raleigh one final expedition to find the legendary city of gold, today part of South America.
It wasn't until the queen died in 1603 that Raleigh's eventual disastrous voyage to the Americas' that he finally had truly lost his golden boy status. He returned from that journey a bitter and broken man, soon to fall out of favor with King James primarily because the never found any gold and his dreams of doing so would never materialize.
King James was seeking peace with Spain so Raleigh was blamed for the failure and for damaging the attempts of the king's determination to end the years of English-Spanish conflicts.
Oddly because of that one final expedition, most of Raleigh's success was due to an uncommon taste for exploration of new lands to be assumed by the King, but a long-time history of rivals lies and furious competition for royal recognition and fortunate awards granted by both monarchs was likely what sealed his fate. Rivalries within and without both courts were likely to foster exaggerated gossipy rumours as opposed to hard facts.
It was a political world then and it still is today.
Although it would seem to be absurd today, Raleigh's knowledge and bravado should have granted him fame as well as fortune, but his death by beheading is not the horror modern people might imagine. There never seemed to be reason enough to render someone a death sentence as it might be seen today. Politics. Always.
The reason I gave this book a low rating is the complete failure of the story to do anything exciting or to detail what great contributions to navigation and sea going risk combined with the tremendous courage and lust for success he had to have to make even one such journey let alone three that we know about. Instead the story is presented in dull and emotionless tone, sort of like you'd have if you tried to make your grocery shopping list exciting and innovative.
It's just a droning on and on that had my eyes closing in disinterest.
That's sad considering the larger than life example he must have been in his own time.
I read voraciously and rarely do I quit a book without finishing but this one made me give up about 2/3 through. Just my opinion.
After her death Raleigh did make an attempt to continue searching for The EL Dorado, that romanticized city of gold but of course the journey was a failure and became the baseless reason for his execution by Elizabeth's successor James I.
But the tone and quality of narrative is dull and dry. The sad presentation is simply not very interesting and I suspect that's because there is only just so much reading you can do on the subject. Walter Raleigh was someone who kept his wits AND HIS HEAD throughout the reign of Elizabeth I. While a rather depressed individual he nevertheless did make several excursions to the "New World", including helping to fund and populate at least two of the settlements known today to be parts of Virginia and North Carolina. Especially credited with the settlement of Roanoke, remembered as the " Lost Colony". And otherwise he stood absolutely confident the early development of the first settlers was destined to be the most wealthy and established, but he never achieved that level of accord and accomplishment with true potential. Raleigh had three different expeditions to the Azores, the Turks, and Trinidad. He was a favorite of Elizabeth but fell from grace by daring to marry one of her ladies in waiting, Elizabeth Throckmorton without the express permission of the queen. He and his wife were both imprisoned in the tower until eventually the queen released them and granted Raleigh one final expedition to find the legendary city of gold, today part of South America.
It wasn't until the queen died in 1603 that Raleigh's eventual disastrous voyage to the Americas' that he finally had truly lost his golden boy status. He returned from that journey a bitter and broken man, soon to fall out of favor with King James primarily because the never found any gold and his dreams of doing so would never materialize.
King James was seeking peace with Spain so Raleigh was blamed for the failure and for damaging the attempts of the king's determination to end the years of English-Spanish conflicts.
Oddly because of that one final expedition, most of Raleigh's success was due to an uncommon taste for exploration of new lands to be assumed by the King, but a long-time history of rivals lies and furious competition for royal recognition and fortunate awards granted by both monarchs was likely what sealed his fate. Rivalries within and without both courts were likely to foster exaggerated gossipy rumours as opposed to hard facts.
It was a political world then and it still is today.
Although it would seem to be absurd today, Raleigh's knowledge and bravado should have granted him fame as well as fortune, but his death by beheading is not the horror modern people might imagine. There never seemed to be reason enough to render someone a death sentence as it might be seen today. Politics. Always.
The reason I gave this book a low rating is the complete failure of the story to do anything exciting or to detail what great contributions to navigation and sea going risk combined with the tremendous courage and lust for success he had to have to make even one such journey let alone three that we know about. Instead the story is presented in dull and emotionless tone, sort of like you'd have if you tried to make your grocery shopping list exciting and innovative.
It's just a droning on and on that had my eyes closing in disinterest.
That's sad considering the larger than life example he must have been in his own time.
I read voraciously and rarely do I quit a book without finishing but this one made me give up about 2/3 through. Just my opinion.
After her death Raleigh did make an attempt to continue searching for The EL Dorado, that romanticized city of gold but of course the journey was a failure and became the baseless reason for his execution by Elizabeth's successor James I.
September 10, 2022
Although I've known the author for some time – Tony Riches has a reputation for writing excellent Tudor fiction – Raleigh – Tudor Adventurer is the first novel of his that I've read. And what a rollicking journey it is! I think I'll try Riches’ novel about Francis Drake next...
Sir Walter Raleigh was such a fascinating character, and Tony Riches portrays him very well. A chancer and adventurer, nothing will sustain his interest long enough to stick with it. He's young, ambitious – and lazy!
Raleigh fought in the Huguenot wars, but it did not lead to fame and fortune. A younger son, unhappy with the path his often-absent father has chosen for him – to become a lawyer – he wants to be a celebrated poet, but a brief stint at a new theatre soon makes him realise that there's little money in it. Then he wants to be a courtier, but he's desperately lacking the funds (his servants’ misbehaviour doesn't help!). So whilst he's keeping an eye out for other opportunities, he returns to his studies.
On his mother's advice, Raleigh contacts his elder brother, who is planning an expedition to the New World. He is promoted to Captain (without the usual training) with control over his own ship, but the endeavour ends in failure, but Raleigh's daring exploits have come to the attention of Walsingham, spymaster for Queen Elizabeth. In due course, Raleigh ends up as his informer, especially when he is finally presented to the queen – after a stint in Ireland – who appears to like his easygoing manner.
Not wanting to give away too much of the plot, Raleigh's adventures take off from there. Finally, he is a courtier, but the politics of the day, and the religious undercurrents, are not far from his daily life. He is liked by some and hated by more, and his lighthearted attitude to life receives a few knocks over time. When he weds without royal assent, even the queen turns against him, but he is soon restored to (some) power and pursues his explorations where possible. Together with his lands in Ireland, and in charge of Jersey, he regains royal favour, but on Elizabeth's death, everything changes.
Tony Riches has created a wonderful character. He's brought Raleigh to live as an easy-going, not-too-serious young man who grows into a daring and brave adventurer. But Raleigh is also a troubled soul, his life full of controversies and setbacks, both on his properties in Ireland and his expeditions. Yet his successes bring him closer to the throne, and he does develop a soft spot for the queen.
Raleigh is the kind of character every girl (and many a boy) would find appealing. Charming, superficial to the observer, but also with secrets safely stashed away inside. There are moments in this novel that make you laugh out loud, or smile wistfully, but we also see the harsh, brutal reality of life in Elizabethan times, which Tony Riches does not miss out. We see the rich court, and the miserable poverty in the streets. We see Ireland treated abominably, but with a strong sense of realism. We see the New World, and those Spanish traders, as opportunities to be used. This all leads to a well-rounded fictional account of one of England's most daring adventurers and the time he lived in.
Raleigh – Tudor Adventurer is a fast-paced, gripping historical adventure, very well researched, that keeps you turning the pages. Highly recommended.
Note: I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.
Sir Walter Raleigh was such a fascinating character, and Tony Riches portrays him very well. A chancer and adventurer, nothing will sustain his interest long enough to stick with it. He's young, ambitious – and lazy!
Raleigh fought in the Huguenot wars, but it did not lead to fame and fortune. A younger son, unhappy with the path his often-absent father has chosen for him – to become a lawyer – he wants to be a celebrated poet, but a brief stint at a new theatre soon makes him realise that there's little money in it. Then he wants to be a courtier, but he's desperately lacking the funds (his servants’ misbehaviour doesn't help!). So whilst he's keeping an eye out for other opportunities, he returns to his studies.
On his mother's advice, Raleigh contacts his elder brother, who is planning an expedition to the New World. He is promoted to Captain (without the usual training) with control over his own ship, but the endeavour ends in failure, but Raleigh's daring exploits have come to the attention of Walsingham, spymaster for Queen Elizabeth. In due course, Raleigh ends up as his informer, especially when he is finally presented to the queen – after a stint in Ireland – who appears to like his easygoing manner.
Not wanting to give away too much of the plot, Raleigh's adventures take off from there. Finally, he is a courtier, but the politics of the day, and the religious undercurrents, are not far from his daily life. He is liked by some and hated by more, and his lighthearted attitude to life receives a few knocks over time. When he weds without royal assent, even the queen turns against him, but he is soon restored to (some) power and pursues his explorations where possible. Together with his lands in Ireland, and in charge of Jersey, he regains royal favour, but on Elizabeth's death, everything changes.
Tony Riches has created a wonderful character. He's brought Raleigh to live as an easy-going, not-too-serious young man who grows into a daring and brave adventurer. But Raleigh is also a troubled soul, his life full of controversies and setbacks, both on his properties in Ireland and his expeditions. Yet his successes bring him closer to the throne, and he does develop a soft spot for the queen.
Raleigh is the kind of character every girl (and many a boy) would find appealing. Charming, superficial to the observer, but also with secrets safely stashed away inside. There are moments in this novel that make you laugh out loud, or smile wistfully, but we also see the harsh, brutal reality of life in Elizabethan times, which Tony Riches does not miss out. We see the rich court, and the miserable poverty in the streets. We see Ireland treated abominably, but with a strong sense of realism. We see the New World, and those Spanish traders, as opportunities to be used. This all leads to a well-rounded fictional account of one of England's most daring adventurers and the time he lived in.
Raleigh – Tudor Adventurer is a fast-paced, gripping historical adventure, very well researched, that keeps you turning the pages. Highly recommended.
Note: I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.
June 25, 2022
Not much is known of the very early years of Walter Raleigh, so the story begins when he is approaching 30 and training to be a lawyer, a profession that fails to excite him. His aspiration is to become a courtier at the court of Queen Elizabeth I and in this, the final novel of the trilogy, we follow Raleigh's path to fame and fortune.
Raleigh knows his lowly birth is a hindrance and what he needs is a patron. A chance meeting with a friend takes him into the world of the theatre and an introduction to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, the Queen's foremost favourite, but Raleigh misses this opportunity to impress.
At his mother's suggestion, Raleigh asks for help from his elder half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and joins his voyage of exploration and colonisation to the New World, commanding The Falcon. The venture is abandoned when winter storms decimate the fleet, but Raleigh disobeys orders to return to Plymouth and with the support of his crew sails for the West Indies. But this, too, ends in failure, and Raleigh returns to Plymouth with a damaged ship and a reduced crew.
Burdened by guilt and mounting debt, Raleigh descends into drunkeness and fighting in the streets, which leads to imprisonment in the Marshalsea and the Fleet. His troublesome behaviour comes to the notice of Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth's principal secretary and spymaster, who offers Raleigh a chance to redeem himself by way of service in Ireland. Raleigh accredits himself well, dutifully carrying out tasks that are abhorrent to him. He is recalled from Ireland and is appointed an Esquire of the Body in the royal household, where he quickly becomes one of the Queen's favourites and reaps the rewards of estates, trade monopolies and other privileges, as well as a knighthood. However, like the other favourites, he falls out of favour and spends time in the Tower of London.
Of the three of Queen Elizabeth I's favourites (Drake – Tudor Corsair and Essex – Tudor Rebel being the other two), it is Raleigh that I liked best. Riches portrayal of him is of a charming and compassionate man, outraged by cruelty and injustice, especially due to his experiences in Ireland. He is not ruthless in pursuit of his goals, but heeds advice and takes advantage of the opportunities that are presented to him.
Raleigh is credited with introducing tobacco and potatoes to England and founding the colony of Roanoke Island. The latter I found very interesting, as Raleigh never sailed to the New World. He funded the expeditions, but never received permission from Queen Elizabeth I to actually go.
Another myth Riches dispels, and one of the first things that springs to mind at the mention of Raleigh's name, is Raleigh throwing his cloak over a puddle so that Queen Elizabeth wouldn't get her feet wet. There is no evidence to suggest this happened, but I could imagine Raleigh doing just that as he was noted for his charm and chivalry. Riches also endows him with compassion and a sense of honour. The inclusion of some of Raleigh's poetry was an added bonus, revealing his thoughts and emotional reactions to various events in his life.
Raleigh - Tudor Adventurer is an excellent conclusion to The Elizabethans trilogy and I eagerly await Tony Riches next novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a participant in a blog tour.
*https://adarngoodread.blogspot.com.au
Raleigh knows his lowly birth is a hindrance and what he needs is a patron. A chance meeting with a friend takes him into the world of the theatre and an introduction to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, the Queen's foremost favourite, but Raleigh misses this opportunity to impress.
At his mother's suggestion, Raleigh asks for help from his elder half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and joins his voyage of exploration and colonisation to the New World, commanding The Falcon. The venture is abandoned when winter storms decimate the fleet, but Raleigh disobeys orders to return to Plymouth and with the support of his crew sails for the West Indies. But this, too, ends in failure, and Raleigh returns to Plymouth with a damaged ship and a reduced crew.
Burdened by guilt and mounting debt, Raleigh descends into drunkeness and fighting in the streets, which leads to imprisonment in the Marshalsea and the Fleet. His troublesome behaviour comes to the notice of Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth's principal secretary and spymaster, who offers Raleigh a chance to redeem himself by way of service in Ireland. Raleigh accredits himself well, dutifully carrying out tasks that are abhorrent to him. He is recalled from Ireland and is appointed an Esquire of the Body in the royal household, where he quickly becomes one of the Queen's favourites and reaps the rewards of estates, trade monopolies and other privileges, as well as a knighthood. However, like the other favourites, he falls out of favour and spends time in the Tower of London.
Of the three of Queen Elizabeth I's favourites (Drake – Tudor Corsair and Essex – Tudor Rebel being the other two), it is Raleigh that I liked best. Riches portrayal of him is of a charming and compassionate man, outraged by cruelty and injustice, especially due to his experiences in Ireland. He is not ruthless in pursuit of his goals, but heeds advice and takes advantage of the opportunities that are presented to him.
Raleigh is credited with introducing tobacco and potatoes to England and founding the colony of Roanoke Island. The latter I found very interesting, as Raleigh never sailed to the New World. He funded the expeditions, but never received permission from Queen Elizabeth I to actually go.
Another myth Riches dispels, and one of the first things that springs to mind at the mention of Raleigh's name, is Raleigh throwing his cloak over a puddle so that Queen Elizabeth wouldn't get her feet wet. There is no evidence to suggest this happened, but I could imagine Raleigh doing just that as he was noted for his charm and chivalry. Riches also endows him with compassion and a sense of honour. The inclusion of some of Raleigh's poetry was an added bonus, revealing his thoughts and emotional reactions to various events in his life.
Raleigh - Tudor Adventurer is an excellent conclusion to The Elizabethans trilogy and I eagerly await Tony Riches next novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a participant in a blog tour.
*https://adarngoodread.blogspot.com.au
June 11, 2022
A man who wants to get ahead in any royal court must have an impeccable background and a willingness to serve his monarch no matter the obstacles thrown their way. It takes an extraordinary man who doesn’t have a pristine background to make it in the ruthless world of a royal court, but some men made names for themselves. One such man was an adventurer, a poet, an explorer, and a courtier. He came from humble beginnings and rose to prominence to become known as one of the last true Elizabethans. The man was Sir Walter Raleigh, and his story is told in Tony Riches’ latest novel, “Raleigh: Tudor Adventurer.”
I want to thank Tony Riches for sending me a copy of this novel. I have enjoyed his previous books in his Elizabethan series on Sir Francis Drake and Robert Devereux Earl of Essex, so I was thrilled when a new story about Sir Walter Raleigh was announced. I previously read a novel about Sir Walter Raleigh’s mother this year, so I was looking forward to an adventure with her son.
Walter Raleigh began his career as a law student who was not passionate about the law. He is ambitious and eventually attracts the attention of Queen Elizabeth I herself; it is in her court that he becomes a courtier and, finally, her Captain of the Guard. His dream was to set sail on the open seas with his brother. He finally gets his chance to sail the high seas, but it is not as glamorous as he envisioned, but he is hooked on the thrill of the adventure.
Some look down on Raleigh because he is not part of a noble family, but he rose through the ranks to become one of the Queen’s favorites. His good looks and charisma attracted the attention of many young ladies, including Bess Throckmorton, who would later become his wife. However, the bulk of this novel focuses on the adventures and investments Raleigh was known for. From Ireland and Cadiz to the New World and the search for the legendary City of Gold, Riches takes his readers on swashbuckling journeys full of perilous battles and high rewards.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Raleigh’s relationships with everyone from Queen Elizabeth I to his wife, Bess Raleigh. The audience gets a chance to see the inner workings of Elizabeth’s court through the eyes of someone who knew what it meant to be on Elizabeth’s good side. I also enjoyed the poetry that Riches weaves into this narrative to give his audience a better understanding of what Raleigh might have felt during crucial moments in his life. My one issue with this novel was that some of the battles and scenes during Raleigh’s expeditions felt a tad rushed to me, and I wish Riches developed these scenes a bit more.
Overall, I found this novel satisfying to read and a real treat for any Tudor fan. If you have enjoyed the previous Elizabethan series books or are looking for a stand-alone story about Sir Walter Raleigh, I would propose you read “Raleigh: Tudor Adventurer” by Tony Riches.
I want to thank Tony Riches for sending me a copy of this novel. I have enjoyed his previous books in his Elizabethan series on Sir Francis Drake and Robert Devereux Earl of Essex, so I was thrilled when a new story about Sir Walter Raleigh was announced. I previously read a novel about Sir Walter Raleigh’s mother this year, so I was looking forward to an adventure with her son.
Walter Raleigh began his career as a law student who was not passionate about the law. He is ambitious and eventually attracts the attention of Queen Elizabeth I herself; it is in her court that he becomes a courtier and, finally, her Captain of the Guard. His dream was to set sail on the open seas with his brother. He finally gets his chance to sail the high seas, but it is not as glamorous as he envisioned, but he is hooked on the thrill of the adventure.
Some look down on Raleigh because he is not part of a noble family, but he rose through the ranks to become one of the Queen’s favorites. His good looks and charisma attracted the attention of many young ladies, including Bess Throckmorton, who would later become his wife. However, the bulk of this novel focuses on the adventures and investments Raleigh was known for. From Ireland and Cadiz to the New World and the search for the legendary City of Gold, Riches takes his readers on swashbuckling journeys full of perilous battles and high rewards.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Raleigh’s relationships with everyone from Queen Elizabeth I to his wife, Bess Raleigh. The audience gets a chance to see the inner workings of Elizabeth’s court through the eyes of someone who knew what it meant to be on Elizabeth’s good side. I also enjoyed the poetry that Riches weaves into this narrative to give his audience a better understanding of what Raleigh might have felt during crucial moments in his life. My one issue with this novel was that some of the battles and scenes during Raleigh’s expeditions felt a tad rushed to me, and I wish Riches developed these scenes a bit more.
Overall, I found this novel satisfying to read and a real treat for any Tudor fan. If you have enjoyed the previous Elizabethan series books or are looking for a stand-alone story about Sir Walter Raleigh, I would propose you read “Raleigh: Tudor Adventurer” by Tony Riches.
July 17, 2022
Tudor adventurer, courtier, explorer and poet, Sir Walter Raleigh has been called the last true Elizabethan. He didn’t dance or joust, didn’t come from a noble family, or marry into one. So how did an impoverished law student become a favourite of the queen, and Captain of the Guard? The story which began with the Tudor trilogy follows Walter Raleigh from his first days at the Elizabethan Court to the end of the Tudor dynasty.
This fascinating account of Sir Walter Raleigh's life spans the years from 1576 until 1603 when the other star of this book, Queen Elizabeth I, dies. Tony Riches has researched the period extremely well, illustrating Raleigh's achievements and numerous failures as well as his unswerving ambition. He depicts a man of culture, a poet and an adventurer, a man who is obsessed with becoming the Queen's right-hand man. From a humble background, Raleigh is convinced that he is as worthy as anyone else to win the Queen's favour, which he does as many times as he loses it. I found myself smiling as each time Raleigh is depicted visiting the queen, her first question is always which favour does he want now. An amusing illustration of how his ambition never seemed to be quite satisfied. Raleigh's eye was always on the next step up the ladder.
Mr Riches doesn't neglect the other side of Raleigh's character, that of a man who falls in love and risks his position at court to marry the woman he loves. Although once he has her, he spends more time away from her and his son, than with them. He also depicts Raleigh as a loyal, compassionate man who treats those who work for him generously, although his attitude to governing the Irish is quite different.
The book vividly portrays the Elizabethan age, with its descriptions of a court full of intrigue and gossip, of the constant threat of battles with the Spanish and the competition to explore the New World to establish colonies, and above all to find gold. Raleigh saw his own salvation in these ventures and invested a lot of money in ships and expeditions, few of which brought him any long-term profit. Mr Riches portrays a powerful picture of how a man's fortunes could grow or disappear entirely on the whim of the monarch or the treachery of those around her.
It was an engrossing read about a man about whom I knew very little and I am left with an image of a 16th century man, Sir Walter Raleigh, who by today's standards we would probably have considered to be a good businessman, a good employer, a loving but absent husband and altogether too much of a risk-taker to achieve all his unbounded ambitions.
Although this is the third book in the Elizabethan series, it is an enjoyable read in its own right. However, I just might have to read the first two books as well.
Originally Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
This fascinating account of Sir Walter Raleigh's life spans the years from 1576 until 1603 when the other star of this book, Queen Elizabeth I, dies. Tony Riches has researched the period extremely well, illustrating Raleigh's achievements and numerous failures as well as his unswerving ambition. He depicts a man of culture, a poet and an adventurer, a man who is obsessed with becoming the Queen's right-hand man. From a humble background, Raleigh is convinced that he is as worthy as anyone else to win the Queen's favour, which he does as many times as he loses it. I found myself smiling as each time Raleigh is depicted visiting the queen, her first question is always which favour does he want now. An amusing illustration of how his ambition never seemed to be quite satisfied. Raleigh's eye was always on the next step up the ladder.
Mr Riches doesn't neglect the other side of Raleigh's character, that of a man who falls in love and risks his position at court to marry the woman he loves. Although once he has her, he spends more time away from her and his son, than with them. He also depicts Raleigh as a loyal, compassionate man who treats those who work for him generously, although his attitude to governing the Irish is quite different.
The book vividly portrays the Elizabethan age, with its descriptions of a court full of intrigue and gossip, of the constant threat of battles with the Spanish and the competition to explore the New World to establish colonies, and above all to find gold. Raleigh saw his own salvation in these ventures and invested a lot of money in ships and expeditions, few of which brought him any long-term profit. Mr Riches portrays a powerful picture of how a man's fortunes could grow or disappear entirely on the whim of the monarch or the treachery of those around her.
It was an engrossing read about a man about whom I knew very little and I am left with an image of a 16th century man, Sir Walter Raleigh, who by today's standards we would probably have considered to be a good businessman, a good employer, a loving but absent husband and altogether too much of a risk-taker to achieve all his unbounded ambitions.
Although this is the third book in the Elizabethan series, it is an enjoyable read in its own right. However, I just might have to read the first two books as well.
Originally Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
June 30, 2022
Raleigh Tudor Adventurer covers the part of his life while Queen Elizabeth was alive. I was wondering when he would go to jail; I didn’t realize that I had to wait until the next reign for him to get into trouble! In this book, although he was busy making money, commanding as admiral, sending out fleets—though not always as captain—and acting as the queen’s advisor, I didn’t actually discover why he was so famous. The book was written in first person and he was very modest. Also, it felt to me more of a remembrance than “live action”. For instance:
The queen’s rapier-sharp, accusing voice echoed in the crowded privy chamber of Richmond Palace, silencing the chatterers of court. ‘You stare at our ladies, Master Raleigh.’
All heads turned to see how I would respond. The late Earl of Leicester once said there is nothing so dangerous as a bored queen – and he should know. There was only one thing I could do. I laughed, and saw the glint of amusement in her eyes. If the queen wanted sport, she would have her wish. I raised an eyebrow and glanced at her oldest companion.
It was very subtle. Although Leicester was long dead by then, it struck me that Raleigh was speaking from long memory, too. This may not have been the author’s intention, but who’s to know how a reader will react? So when he went on those ridiculous voyages to find gold, I knew he’d be coming back; I never worried that he wasn’t going to come out safe and sound. I think I felt as annoyed as his wife. He did seem to have a habit of easily getting out of trouble, although admittedly Queen Elizabeth exiled him from her presence for quite some time. I didn’t get the feeling that he was actually close to her personally, like Essex, and perhaps that’s what saved him. Elizabeth was obviously a dangerous person to take for granted; one never knew how she was going to react at any moment. Our Raleigh seemed to know just how far he could presume, and survived when the more flamboyant Essex crashed and burned—as we learned from Tudor Rebel.
The queen’s rapier-sharp, accusing voice echoed in the crowded privy chamber of Richmond Palace, silencing the chatterers of court. ‘You stare at our ladies, Master Raleigh.’
All heads turned to see how I would respond. The late Earl of Leicester once said there is nothing so dangerous as a bored queen – and he should know. There was only one thing I could do. I laughed, and saw the glint of amusement in her eyes. If the queen wanted sport, she would have her wish. I raised an eyebrow and glanced at her oldest companion.
It was very subtle. Although Leicester was long dead by then, it struck me that Raleigh was speaking from long memory, too. This may not have been the author’s intention, but who’s to know how a reader will react? So when he went on those ridiculous voyages to find gold, I knew he’d be coming back; I never worried that he wasn’t going to come out safe and sound. I think I felt as annoyed as his wife. He did seem to have a habit of easily getting out of trouble, although admittedly Queen Elizabeth exiled him from her presence for quite some time. I didn’t get the feeling that he was actually close to her personally, like Essex, and perhaps that’s what saved him. Elizabeth was obviously a dangerous person to take for granted; one never knew how she was going to react at any moment. Our Raleigh seemed to know just how far he could presume, and survived when the more flamboyant Essex crashed and burned—as we learned from Tudor Rebel.
June 24, 2022
When I found out Tony Riches was writing an Elizabethan Series based on men such as Drake and Raleigh I couldn't have been more excited. Raleigh is the third instalment and I've been looking forward to reading about the man who climbed the rungs of the societal ladder to become wealthy and a favourite of Elizabeth I.
I'd not long ago read A Woman of Noble Wit by Rosemary Griggs which tells the story of Raleigh's mother so this was perfect continuation to delve into the life of such a fascinating man.
Riches begins Raleigh's story when he was a young man studying law and takes us on his adventures through surviving sea battles, the unknown of new land and possibly the most difficult, navigating the royal court and his enemies.
I thoroughly enjoyed how Riches weaves the relationships Raleigh had, not only with Elizabeth but with his family, wife and other prominent members of the court. Riches portrays Raleigh as an ambitious but caring and generous man who I came to admire even more from reading this. Having visited his rooms at the Tower of London I was able to imagine him sitting writing and growing his plants.
This is such a brilliant portrayal of Raleigh's life and Riches has used his research to create a fascinating insight into the life of one of the most famous Elizabethan characters but also Court life and sea adventures and events in Ireland.
I was genuinely a little sad when I came to the end of this as I'd have been happy to continue reading about Raleigh.
Although this is the third instalment you don't need to have read the previous two, although I would recommend reading them all anyway as they're brilliant.
I can't wait to see what Riches brings us next!
I'd not long ago read A Woman of Noble Wit by Rosemary Griggs which tells the story of Raleigh's mother so this was perfect continuation to delve into the life of such a fascinating man.
Riches begins Raleigh's story when he was a young man studying law and takes us on his adventures through surviving sea battles, the unknown of new land and possibly the most difficult, navigating the royal court and his enemies.
I thoroughly enjoyed how Riches weaves the relationships Raleigh had, not only with Elizabeth but with his family, wife and other prominent members of the court. Riches portrays Raleigh as an ambitious but caring and generous man who I came to admire even more from reading this. Having visited his rooms at the Tower of London I was able to imagine him sitting writing and growing his plants.
This is such a brilliant portrayal of Raleigh's life and Riches has used his research to create a fascinating insight into the life of one of the most famous Elizabethan characters but also Court life and sea adventures and events in Ireland.
I was genuinely a little sad when I came to the end of this as I'd have been happy to continue reading about Raleigh.
Although this is the third instalment you don't need to have read the previous two, although I would recommend reading them all anyway as they're brilliant.
I can't wait to see what Riches brings us next!
August 25, 2022
I enjoyed this book about a man I didn't really know a lot about. I knew that he'd travelled to the New World, written 'A History of the World' and been imprisoned in the Tower of London twice, once for marrying one of the queen's ladies. But those are the popular things, so it was intriguing to read his story in a fictional sense, and get a sense of the man, though obviously fiction has to be taken with a pinch of salt to allow for some historical licence.
The book is obviously well-researched and doesn't fall into some of the myths and legends surrounding Raleigh, like the fact that he laid his cloak over a puddle so Elizabeth I didn't get her feet wet. I kept waiting for that to come up and it didn't, which demonstrated to me that Riches was taking his subject and research seriously.
The story mixes time at court with Elizabeth I, Francis Walsingham, Robert Cecil, and Robert Devereux Earl of Essex, with a life of travelling to the New World and the Azores, and then the comfortable home life with his wife and children. The book, being part of the Elizabethan trilogy, only really takes us up to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603, so doesn't cover Raleigh's second imprisonment in the Tower writing 'The History of the World', or his *spoiler!* execution. It would have been interesting to see how Riches tackled this, but maybe for another time as he obviously can't include everything or the book would be a mile long!
I haven't read any complete trilogies by Tony Riches at this point, just odd books, but I have really enjoyed the ones I've read and look forward to investing in the others in the future.
The book is obviously well-researched and doesn't fall into some of the myths and legends surrounding Raleigh, like the fact that he laid his cloak over a puddle so Elizabeth I didn't get her feet wet. I kept waiting for that to come up and it didn't, which demonstrated to me that Riches was taking his subject and research seriously.
The story mixes time at court with Elizabeth I, Francis Walsingham, Robert Cecil, and Robert Devereux Earl of Essex, with a life of travelling to the New World and the Azores, and then the comfortable home life with his wife and children. The book, being part of the Elizabethan trilogy, only really takes us up to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603, so doesn't cover Raleigh's second imprisonment in the Tower writing 'The History of the World', or his *spoiler!* execution. It would have been interesting to see how Riches tackled this, but maybe for another time as he obviously can't include everything or the book would be a mile long!
I haven't read any complete trilogies by Tony Riches at this point, just odd books, but I have really enjoyed the ones I've read and look forward to investing in the others in the future.
June 2, 2022
Raleigh : Tudor Adventurer by Tony Riches
We all know the tales about potatoes and tobacco and of spreading a cloak before the Queen. In this cracking story of that fascinating and complex Elizabethan, Sir Walter Raleigh, Tony Riches shows us the man behind the myth. Having spent the last few years in the company of Sir Walter’s mother researching and writing my novel inspired by her life I was eager to see what Tony made of her famous boy. I was not disappointed. In this well researched and thoroughly engaging account Raleigh and his world really come to life.
As I followed Raleigh’s meteoric progress at the glittering world of Queen Elizabeth’s court I found myself warming to an ambitious, sometimes arrogant, but often charming and gifted man. Tony paints a convincing picture of the soldier, explorer, coloniser, courtier and poet, who also wished to be a good friend, father and family man.
It is, of course, Raleigh’s intriguing relationship with his Queen that defines his life. Although often said to have come from a modest Devon background, Raleigh was related to some very influential figures, including Kat Ashley, Queen Elizabeth’s governess. I particularly liked the way Raleigh’s Gilbert half-brothers and the plethora of cousins who shared his various adventures are included. Cameo appearances by other less well known characters and rich detail of Elizabethan life give an added sense of reality.
I thoroughly recommend this story of a quintessential Elizabethan.
Rosemary Griggs
We all know the tales about potatoes and tobacco and of spreading a cloak before the Queen. In this cracking story of that fascinating and complex Elizabethan, Sir Walter Raleigh, Tony Riches shows us the man behind the myth. Having spent the last few years in the company of Sir Walter’s mother researching and writing my novel inspired by her life I was eager to see what Tony made of her famous boy. I was not disappointed. In this well researched and thoroughly engaging account Raleigh and his world really come to life.
As I followed Raleigh’s meteoric progress at the glittering world of Queen Elizabeth’s court I found myself warming to an ambitious, sometimes arrogant, but often charming and gifted man. Tony paints a convincing picture of the soldier, explorer, coloniser, courtier and poet, who also wished to be a good friend, father and family man.
It is, of course, Raleigh’s intriguing relationship with his Queen that defines his life. Although often said to have come from a modest Devon background, Raleigh was related to some very influential figures, including Kat Ashley, Queen Elizabeth’s governess. I particularly liked the way Raleigh’s Gilbert half-brothers and the plethora of cousins who shared his various adventures are included. Cameo appearances by other less well known characters and rich detail of Elizabethan life give an added sense of reality.
I thoroughly recommend this story of a quintessential Elizabethan.
Rosemary Griggs
June 16, 2022
I really enjoyed Tony Riches’s latest novel, Raleigh, Tudor Adventurer. His narrative style quickly immerses one in Sir Walter Raleigh’s point of view, and guided by Mr Riches’s great depth of research and broad experience in writing Tudor historical fiction, I quickly dropped into the colourful and ever-changing world of Elizabeth’s England. Best described as narrative biographical fiction, Mr. Riches unfolds the story of Raleigh’s life in a fast-paced first person perspective that delivers a compelling eyewitness to many Tudor lifestyles. Using Raleigh’s own career as the template, Mr Riches explores Elizabethan theatre, the fascinating Inns of Court, London’s landmark prisons and palaces, and, of course, ships, sailing, and exploration. Along with the vivid backdrop of Tudor England, well-known members of society also make memorable appearances, from Burbage to Leicester, the Queen to Bess Throckmorton, all beautifully depicted by Mr Riches.
Along the way, Raleigh comes to life as an affable and ambitious man, kindly and intelligent, with a penchant for writing and poetry, and a rather reluctant adventurer. Beautifully depicted as a true Elizabethan, this is a warm and affectionate work of biographical historical fiction, and one that will be enjoyed by both fiction and non-fiction lovers of Tudor times. Highly recommend, and I look forward to reading the next in the series, from the perspective of Raleigh’s beloved wife Bess Throckmorton.
Along the way, Raleigh comes to life as an affable and ambitious man, kindly and intelligent, with a penchant for writing and poetry, and a rather reluctant adventurer. Beautifully depicted as a true Elizabethan, this is a warm and affectionate work of biographical historical fiction, and one that will be enjoyed by both fiction and non-fiction lovers of Tudor times. Highly recommend, and I look forward to reading the next in the series, from the perspective of Raleigh’s beloved wife Bess Throckmorton.
September 2, 2025
REVIEW
FIVE STARS
I love everything Tudor, but most books out there are based on the main players —the kings and queens of the era. I have never seen writing solely from the perspective of Sir Walter Raleigh before, so I was really looking forward to reading this book.
Tony Riches has a wonderful way with words, and I thoroughly enjoyed her previous series, The Tudor Trilogy, so I knew this book would be good, and boy, was it! The history of the era seems to leap off the page; such attention to detail brought the era to life. I also adored the depiction of Raleigh, and I found myself thoroughly invested in his story. I certainly learnt a lot about Raleigh's life from reading this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. This is a book that deserves to be read in one sitting and that was exactly what I did - a day reading is never a day wasted!
If you love the Tudors like I do, then this book is a must-read.
FIVE STARS
I love everything Tudor, but most books out there are based on the main players —the kings and queens of the era. I have never seen writing solely from the perspective of Sir Walter Raleigh before, so I was really looking forward to reading this book.
Tony Riches has a wonderful way with words, and I thoroughly enjoyed her previous series, The Tudor Trilogy, so I knew this book would be good, and boy, was it! The history of the era seems to leap off the page; such attention to detail brought the era to life. I also adored the depiction of Raleigh, and I found myself thoroughly invested in his story. I certainly learnt a lot about Raleigh's life from reading this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. This is a book that deserves to be read in one sitting and that was exactly what I did - a day reading is never a day wasted!
If you love the Tudors like I do, then this book is a must-read.
December 31, 2025
Raleigh the Adventurer
I've enjoyed gaining knowledge of the history of these times. Through Riches writings, these people came alive for me and have encouraged me to discover more.
I've enjoyed gaining knowledge of the history of these times. Through Riches writings, these people came alive for me and have encouraged me to discover more.
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