Raleigh Searches for El Dorado

1595

Walter Raleigh, exiled from court after secretly marrying one of Elizabeth's maids of honor, sailed up the Orinoco River in search of the legendary golden city of Manoa. He found nothing but fever, disappointment, and a notebook of impressive reports to present on his return. Elizabeth was unimpressed. His account, The Discovery of Guiana, mixed genuine observation with promotional fiction, keeping the myth alive for another generation.