35. Although Raleigh was not given another trial, there was evidence read against him
Raleigh was not given the benefit of a trial, but during the weeks leading up to the decision by King James considerable evidence was presented against him, directly to His Majesty, and in the broadsheets and public gatherings of the day. Much of it was presented by Stukley, who presented knowledge of plots by Raleigh and his followers to flee to France and take up arms against England. The evidence was not substantiated and in the absence of a court hearing it entered the record unchallenged. Several of Raleigh’s friends suggested the means by which he could be spirited from the Tower and sent into exile, either in Ireland or even America, but nothing came from any of them, as the court of public opinion shifted against him through the false reports of his enemies.
