James May's Great Explorers: Season 1, Episode 2

1 - 2: Sir Walter Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh's legend is larger than life: throwing his cloak for Queen Elizabeth I, discovering potatoes and tobacco, and founding England's first American colony. But much of it's 'complete bollocks'. James May digs into Raleigh's rise to power, exploring what he truly discovered and how he left a lasting mark despite his downfall. Along the way, he visits the British Museum, Hampton Court Palace, and Raleigh's prison cell in the Tower of London. From mastering the art of persuasion, to setting up Virginia, and exploring Raleigh's darker legacy, James uncovers the complex reality behind this famous figure.