Carew Raleigh

This article concerns Sir Walter Raleigh's brother. For his namesake and nephew, Sir Walter's son, seeCarew Raleigh (1605–1666)

Sir Carew RaleighorRalegh(ca. 1550 – ca. 1625) was an English naval commander and politician who sat in theHouse of Commonsat various times between 1586 and 1622. He was the elder brother ofSir Walter Raleigh.

Biography

Raleigh was born inFardel,Devon, the son of Walter Raleigh and Catherine Champernowne. He was gentleman of the horse toJohn ThynneofLongleatfor some time before Thynne's death in 1580. In 1578, Raleigh served on the expedition led by his half-brother,Sir Humphrey Gilbert.On his marriage, he sold his property in Devon, and settled at Downton House, near Salisbury. He was Lieutenant of theIsle of Portlandfrom 6 July 1584 until 1625. In 1584, he was electedMember of ParliamentforWiltshire.In 1586, he was on the list of sea-captains drawn up to meet the threat of a Spanish invasion together with his brother SirWalter Raleighand his two elder half-brothers, George and John. He was re-elected MP for Wiltshire in 1586. In 1589, he was elected MP forLudgershall.From 1591 to 1603, he wasVice-Admiral of Dorset.He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1601 atBasing House.In 1601, he was elected MP forFoweyand in 1604 he was elected MP forDownton.He was elected MP for Downton again in 1621.

Aubrey says of Raleigh that he "had a delicate clear voice, and played skilfully on theolpharion".

Raleigh married Dorothy Thynne, widow of Sir John Thynne and daughter of SirWilliam Wroughtonof Broad Heighton, Wiltshire. Their three sons includedWalter Raleigh, DD,who becameDean of Wells.They also had one daughter.