Welcome, history buffs and mystery lovers! Get ready to dive into the captivating story of the Roanoke Colony. We’re sharing ten mind-blowing facts that will make the mystery even more puzzling. From disappearing settlers to cryptic inscriptions and strange contracts, these details will keep you hooked.
Still unsolved today, this is a whirlwind of unanswered questions and fascinating theories. Let’s take a closer look into one mystery that has stood the test of time and discover why the Roanoke Colony continues to intrigue us to this day. Let’s go!
10. The Elusive Location of Roanoke
Finding physical evidence of the Roanoke Colony is incredibly challenging. Over time, what little evidence existed has been lost or destroyed.
One theory suggests the colonists relocated, possibly to Croatoan Island, now known as Hatteras Island, or integrated with a nearby Native American tribe.
Natural disasters, like hurricanes and flooding, common in the area, could have obliterated any traces of the colony.
Conflicting accounts of the colonists’ fate add to the confusion, and historians and archaeologists haven’t reached a consensus.
Despite numerous attempts to pinpoint the exact location of the Roanoke Colony, the mystery persists, and the true fate of the colonists may never be definitively known.
9. Cryptic Clues Carved in Wood
The Roanoke Colony, or the Lost Colony, vanished from Roanoke Island off the coast of North Carolina by 1590, leaving behind only two carved clues.
The word “Croatoan” was carved into a post at the abandoned site, now Hatteras Island. Croatoan was the name of a small Native American tribe living in the Carolinas at the time. This suggests the colonists might have moved to Croatoan Island or lived among the Croatoan tribe.
The abbreviation “Cro” was etched into a tree near the abandoned fort. Its meaning is less clear. Some historians think it’s a shortened form of “Croatoan,” while others believe it referred to a nearby body of water, like the Croatan Sound.
8. Walter Raleigh: The Visionary Behind the Plan
Walter Raleigh, an English statesman, soldier, writer, and explorer, played a crucial role in establishing the Roanoke Colony, which he named Virginia.
Raleigh spearheaded the English colonization of North America, quelled rebellion in Ireland, aided in defending England against the Spanish Armada, and held political offices under Elizabeth I. He was knighted in 1585 and became Captain of the Queen’s Guard. He also led two unsuccessful expeditions to South America seeking the mythical city of El Dorado.
Accused of treason by James I, Elizabeth’s successor, Raleigh was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was later released to lead another South American expedition, which failed, leading to his disgrace and subsequent execution in 1618 for plotting against James I. The state capital of North Carolina was named Raleigh in his honor in 1792.
7. Virginia: Named After the Virgin Queen
The colony of Virginia was named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, known as the “Virgin Queen” because she never married.
As a female monarch, Elizabeth was expected to marry and produce heirs. However, she believed marriage would weaken her position and make her subservient to her husband.
Personal reasons might have also influenced her decision. Despite close relationships with men like Robert Dudley, she never married. Some historians believe she feared losing her independence or might have been infertile.
Remaining unmarried also allowed her to avoid political and religious conflicts that could arise from marrying a Catholic prince. Her decision significantly impacted English history, establishing her as one of England’s most famous monarchs.
6. The Murder of Chief Wingina by Ralph Lane
Ralph Lane, governor of the Roanoke Colony in 1585, had a contentious relationship with Wingina, a Secotan leader who attempted to unite neighboring tribes against Lane’s group.
Seeking more food for the colony, Lane led an attack on the Secotan on June 1, 1586, during which Wingina was decapitated by one of Lane’s men. While some historians suggest Lane directly killed Wingina, it remains unclear if he was personally responsible.
Wingina’s death intensified hostility between the English and the Native Americans, who viewed each other as threats and obstacles to their respective ways of life and colonization efforts.
5. Croatoans Brought to England
Before his own voyage, Sir Walter Raleigh sent Arthur Barlowe and Philip Amadas to explore the eastern coast of North America in 1584. They landed on Roanoke Island and met with the Secotan and Croatan tribes. Barlowe brought two Croatoans, Manteo and Wanchese, back to England.
Manteo and Wanchese were presented to Queen Elizabeth I and treated as ambassadors from the New World. Manteo was later baptized and made Lord of Roanoke by Raleigh. The Croatoans played a key role in early English colonization, helping establish peaceful relations between the English and Native Americans.
4. Two Failed Attempts to Colonize Roanoke
The English attempted to colonize Roanoke Island twice, in 1585 and 1587. The first attempt was led by Sir Richard Grenville, with Ralph Lane appointed as governor.
The second attempt was led by John White in 1587, who was named governor of a new colony to be established north of Roanoke on the Chesapeake Bay. Both attempts failed. The first colony returned to England, and the second colony, established in 1587, vanished for unknown reasons, with around 115 men, women, and children disappearing.
3. Governor White’s Unusual Contract
Before leaving the Roanoke Colony in 1587, Governor White made a contract with the colonists to ensure their safety and security in his absence.
The contract stipulated that the colonists would remain on Roanoke Island and establish a permanent settlement, becoming self-sufficient and fostering friendly relations with Native Americans.
White, concerned about his belongings, also included a provision requiring the colonists to protect his possessions and promising not to steal from him.
In return, White promised to return to England to gather supplies and reinforcements, returning as soon as possible. However, his return was delayed by the Spanish Armada and funding issues. When he finally returned in 1590, the colony was abandoned, and the fate of the colonists remains a mystery.
2. Virginia Dare: The First English Baby Born in North America
Virginia Dare, born on August 18, 1587, in Roanoke Colony, was the first English child born in the Americas. She was the daughter of Ananias Dare and Ellinor White Dare, and granddaughter of Governor John White. She was one of two infants born to the colonists in 1587 and the only female child known to have been born to the settlers. Her name signified her as the first English child born in Virginia.
Virginia Dare was baptized into the Church of England on August 24, 1587, marking her as the first child and second person in America christened into the Church of England.
1. Visit the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge
The Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge is dedicated to Virginia Dare’s memory. The disappearance of the colony without a trace means that Virginia Dare’s fate, and that of the other colonists, remains a mystery to this day. Naming the bridge after her honors her place in history and remembers the early English settlers’ attempt to establish a colony in the New World.
The Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge, a four-lane bridge spanning the Croatan Sound between Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island in Dare County, North Carolina, is the state’s longest at 5.2 miles. It stands 65 feet high, supported by 88 concrete columns, and was built in 1995 with a 100-year lifespan.
Interested in visiting? The bridge crosses from Manns Harbor to Roanoke Island at 100 S US Hwy 64, Manteo, NC.
In conclusion, the story of the Roanoke Colony is filled with unanswered questions and intriguing details. From the cryptic clues left behind to the mysterious disappearance of its inhabitants, it continues to captivate historians and mystery enthusiasts alike. The legacy of Roanoke lives on through memorials like the Virginia Dare Bridge, inviting us to remember and ponder the events that unfolded centuries ago.
What do you think happened to the lost colonists of Roanoke? Leave your comment below!
