1584 expedition brought two Native American Indians back to England, who were very useful. Thomas Harriot (mathematician) learned their language and taught them English. He was then able to make an English-Algonquian dictionary. Manteo and Wanchese helped the first English colonists to establish contact with their people. Raising funds The cost of the colonisation project was enormous – there was not enough money to successfully colonise in the New World by just trading on the voyage. BUT… there were clear economic benefits to be had that made the voyage worthwhile. Native Americans would barter things for simple, cheap English goods like woollen cloth Colony would provide work for English cloth makers and merchants Colony provide exotic materials such as gold and tobacco that could be brought back to England Lots of revenue for the English government Raleigh fund the new colony – the queen refused. Elizabeth was careful with money and had other financial concerns at the time (Spain). She did, however, suggest that the land colonised be called Virginia in her honour. She also give him a ship and gunpowder worth £400. Raleigh was one of Elizabeth’s favourites, and this royal backing gave the project prestige. It helped encourage others to invest, especially courtiers. Raleigh promised investors that he take any Spanish ships that he came across, including their cargoes. It was important in encouraging merchants to invest. Raleigh invested a lot of his own money in the venture – this was important if others were to believe that it could work. By 1585, he had the resources he needed. Raleigh’s organisations and planning to prepare for the voyage to Virginia Organising the project Finding colonists and sailors willing to cross the Atlantic was difficult. 107 colonists rather than the 300 he wanted All men, half soldiers, but also landowners, farmers, and skilled craftsmen Many wanted to make their fortune in Virginia
1584 expedition brought two Native American Indians back to England, who were very useful. Thomas Harriot (mathematician) learned their language and taught them English. He was then able to make an English-Algonquian dictionary. Manteo and Wanchese helped the first English colonists to establish contact with their people. Raising funds The cost of the colonisation project was enormous – there was not enough money to successfully colonise in the New World by just trading on the voyage. BUT… there were clear economic benefits to be had that made the voyage worthwhile. Native Americans would barter things for simple, cheap English goods like woollen cloth Colony would provide work for English cloth makers and merchants Colony provide exotic materials such as gold and tobacco that could be brought back to England Lots of revenue for the English government Raleigh fund the new colony – the queen refused. Elizabeth was careful with money and had other financial concerns at the time (Spain). She did, however, suggest that the land colonised be called Virginia in her honour. She also give him a ship and gunpowder worth £400. Raleigh was one of Elizabeth’s favourites, and this royal backing gave the project prestige. It helped encourage others to invest, especially courtiers. Raleigh promised investors that he take any Spanish ships that he came across, including their cargoes. It was important in encouraging merchants to invest. Raleigh invested a lot of his own money in the venture – this was important if others were to believe that it could work. By 1585, he had the resources he needed. Raleigh’s organisations and planning to prepare for the voyage to Virginia Organising the project Finding colonists and sailors willing to cross the Atlantic was difficult. 107 colonists rather than the 300 he wanted All men, half soldiers, but also landowners, farmers, and skilled craftsmen Many wanted to make their fortune in Virginia
early_elizabethan_england_revision_guide.docx