The Explorers Podcast · Wednesday, September 9, 2026
By the end of 1594, Walter Raleigh had obtained a license from the crown to 'discover and subdue heathen lands not in possession of any prince or inhabited by any heathen people,' and was authorized to 'offend and enfeeble the king of Spain.' The crown provided no funding but would share in profits.
“By November of 1594, he had everything lined up except permission from the crown to go on this expedition. That, however, would come by the end of the year.”
“The license said that Raleigh was, quote, to discover and subdue heathen lands not in possession of any prince or inhabited by any heathen people, end quote.”
“Raleigh was also authorized to, quote, offend and enfeeble the king of Spain, end quote. And with that, Raleigh had the green light to go on his expedition.”
“The crown supplied nothing, although they would get their share of any profits.”