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What happened to Sir Walter Raleigh's children?

Published in Raleigh Family History 2 mins read

Sir Walter Raleigh had two sons whose naval careers tragically ended with their early deaths in the West Indies. Both succumbed to fever while serving, highlighting the perilous conditions faced by sailors during that era.

The Fate of Carew Raleigh

Carew Raleigh, described as Sir Walter Raleigh's youngest son, served as a page of honour to William III. His life was cut short while he was serving as a captain's servant aboard HMS Bredah. In 1697, at the age of seventeen, Carew died of fever in the West Indies.

The Fate of Brudenell Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh's second son, Lieutenant Brudenell Raleigh, also followed a naval path. Like his brother, he was serving in the navy in the West Indies. Brudenell died of fever in June 1698, at the age of twenty-two, just a year after his younger brother.

Summary of Their Fates

The table below summarizes the details of what happened to Sir Walter Raleigh's children:
Child's Name Relationship Role/Service Cause of Death Location Year of Death Age
Carew Raleigh Youngest Son Captain's Servant on HMS Bredah; Page of Honour to William III Fever West Indies 1697 17
Brudenell Raleigh Second Son Lieutenant in the Navy Fever West Indies 1698 22

These accounts provide a glimpse into the dangers of overseas service during the late 17th century, where disease often posed a greater threat than conflict. For more general information about Sir Walter Raleigh, you can visit his Wikipedia page.