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.