Roger North (governor) facts for kids

Roger North (born around 1585 – died around 1652) was an English adventurer and explorer. He was known for trying to set up English settlements in South America.

Life Story

Roger North was born about 1585. He was the grandson of Roger North, 2nd Baron North. His father was Sir John North.

Adventure with Sir Walter Raleigh

In 1617, Roger North joined Sir Walter Raleigh on a big trip to Guiana in South America. North was one of the ship captains. They were looking for riches and new lands.

During the journey, many people on the ships got sick with fevers. They sailed along the coast and then into the River Orinoco. After going up the river, they landed. They found a Spanish town called San Tomé. The English fought the Spanish and burned the town.

After this, supplies for the expedition started to run low. North's soldiers and sailors became very unhappy. Raleigh's ships began to leave. North was on one of the ships sent back to Plymouth to tell the king what had happened. He reported to the king in May 1618.

Trying to Settle the Amazon

In 1619, North asked the king for special permission. He wanted to start an English settlement near the River Amazon. He also wanted to trade with the local people there.

A Spanish diplomat named Gondomar did not like this idea. Spain and England were often rivals for new lands. King James at first gave North permission. Important people like the Earl of Arundel and the Earl of Warwick supported North's plan.

Gondomar worked to stop the trip. The king then told North to wait. But North decided to sail anyway in May 1620 from Plymouth Sound. He had a special pass from the Duke of Buckingham.

The king was very upset when he found out. He said North was disloyal. North's brother, Dudley North, 3rd Baron North, was even put in prison for a short time.

North heard about the king's anger and decided to return to England. His ship was full of tobacco. The Spanish diplomat Gondomar made sure North's ship and cargo were taken. North himself was sent to the Tower of London in January 1621.

However, with help from the Duke of Buckingham, North was released in July 1621. He then managed to get his ship and tobacco back.

Another Try in Guiana

In 1627, North tried again. He got new permission from King Charles I, along with Robert Harcourt. They wanted to form a company to set up a "Plantation of Guiana." North was named a leader of this new settlement.

Even though they didn't have much money, they managed to get an expedition ready. A settlement was started in 1627, and North helped open trade with the local people.

Later Years

In 1632, Roger North was back in England. He was involved in a legal case because he was helping manage the affairs of his brother-in-law's family. This case lasted for many years.

The English settlement in Guiana faced problems without North there. Other countries like France and the Netherlands started to take over the trade.

Roger North spent time with his brothers at their family home, Kirtling. He became ill in 1652 at his house in Princes Street, Bloomsbury. He passed away in late 1652 or early 1653. He left his property to his brother Gilbert.