30. Raleigh returned to England knowing what his fate would be
When Raleigh returned with the failed expedition to Plymouth, he learned of a movement afoot under the impetus of the Spanish Ambassador to have him brought before the King and his death sentence reinstated. Under the threats of Spanish retaliation, James VI and I had little available in the way of options, war with Spain was at the time unthinkable, and Raleigh had failed to enrich the Royal coffers with gold and silver from El Dorado. Raleigh was ordered to be brought from the anchorage at Plymouth to London, under escort provided by Sir Lewis Stukley, who was ordered by the King to not keep too close a watch upon his charge, affording Sir Walter the chance to escape.
