Raleigh Country is the name given to the area spreading from the Exe Estuary out towards Sidmouth and encompassing the town of Budleigh Salterton. The name comes from the privateer Sir Walter Raleigh, who was born in the East Budleigh area in 1552.
Despite the similar name, East Budleigh is a small village about 2 miles south of Budleigh Salterton. At one point, it was a market town and port that was frequented by ships in the 15th century, until the River Otter silted up. The village is considered to be the heart of Raleigh Country and visitors can find a life sized bronze statue of Sir Walter Raleigh at the top of the village near the church.
The life and times of Sir Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh was an English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer and was one of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era. He played a huge role in the colonisation of North America and in defending England during the Spanish Armada.
He was the son of Walter Raleigh Snr and Catherine Cahmmpernowne. His parents were part of the landed gentry and were of the protestant faith. His birthplace is now known as Hayes Barton and you can see evidence of the Raleigh family all over. His father was the church warden of the Church of All Saints and the church’s oldest memorial is dedicated to the memory of Joan, his father’s first wife. The Raleigh Pew, which sits on the left of the nave dates back to 1537.
Not much is known about Sir Walter’s early life, though we do know that he spent some of his late teens in France fighting in the religious civil wars. In his 20s, he went to Ireland and helped suppress the rebellion during the colonisation. Later, he became a landlord and mayor in Munster, where you can still see his house.
He ended up rising to prominence during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and was knighted in 1585. He was granted a royal patent to explore Virginia in what is now the USA, which paved the way for more English settlements. He is famed for establishing the lost colony of Roanoke, one of history’s most enduring mysteries. The settlers all vanished, leaving nothing but a carving that read Croatian.
Despite his position, Sir Walter fell out of favour in 1591 after marrying Elizabeth Throckmorton, a lady in waiting to the queen without her permission. Both Sir Walter and his wife were imprisoned in the Tower of London for some time. After their release, they moved to Dorset where they had an estate.
In 1594, Sir Walter heard of a City of Gold and set out to find it. He was unsuccessful, but he published his account of his adventure, which ended up contributing to the legend of El Dorado – which is said to be located somewhere in South America. Several have attempted to find the famed city but no one ever has.
After Elizabeth I died in 1603, Walter found himself being sent back to the Tower of London for being involved in a plot against King James I / VI, who inherited the throne. He was released in 1616, where he went out on a second expedition to find El Dorado, during the voyage, his ship sacked a Spanish outpost, in violation of the terms of his release and a treaty with Spain, resulting in him being executed in 1618.
Sir Walter Raleigh is known for introducing smoking and potatoes to England, so much so that he left a pouch of tobacco behind after his execution, but for us in Budleigh Salterton, giving his name to Raleigh Country is his most enduring legacy.
Discover more of Budleigh Salterton and Raleigh Country’s history by visiting the region and spending some time at our local museums this half term.