Editing Roanoke Colony (section)

==Amadas–Barlowe expedition==
{{Anchor|Amadas-Barlowe expedition}} <!-- Former long-standing title -->
[[File:The Englishmen's arrival in Virginia (1590).jpg|thumb|''The arrival of the Englishmen in Virginia'' (1590). Engraving by [[Theodor De Bry]], from a drawing by John White.]]

Raleigh quickly arranged an expedition to explore his claim. It departed England on April 27, 1584.{{Sfn|Kupperman|2007|p= 14}} The fleet consisted of two [[barque]]s; [[Philip Amadas]] was captain of the larger vessel, with [[Simon Fernandes]] as pilot, while [[Arthur Barlowe]] was in command of the other. There are indications that [[Thomas Harriot]] and John White may have participated in the voyage, but no records survive which directly confirm their involvement.{{Sfn|Quinn|1985|pp= 20–23}}

The expedition employed a standard route for transatlantic voyages, sailing south to catch [[trade winds]], which carried them westward to the [[West Indies]], where they collected fresh water. The two ships then sailed north until July 4, when they sighted land at what is now called [[Cape Fear (headland)|Cape Fear]]. The fleet made landfall on July 13 at an inlet north of [[Hatteras Island|Hatorask Island]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.carolinadesigns.com/obx-guide/history/portferdinando/|title=Port Ferdinando on the Outer Banks &#124; OBX History|first=Mary|last=Davies|date=March 24, 2022|website=OBX Travel Guide by Carolina Designs}}</ref> which was named "Port Ferdinando" after Fernandes, who discovered it.{{Sfn|Kupperman|2007|p= 14}}

The [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] in the region had likely encountered, or at least observed, Europeans from previous expeditions. The [[Secotan]], who controlled [[Roanoke Island]] and the mainland between Albemarle Sound and the Pamlico River, soon made contact with the English and established friendly relations. The Secotan chieftain, [[Wingina]], had recently been injured in a war with the [[Pamlico]], so his brother Granganimeo represented the tribe in his place.{{Sfn|Horn|2010|pp= 44–55}}

Upon their return to England in the autumn of 1584, Amadas and Barlowe spoke highly of the tribes' hospitality and the strategic location of Roanoke. They brought back two natives: [[Wanchese (Native American leader)|Wanchese]], a Secotan, and [[Manteo (Croatan)|Manteo]], a [[Croatan]] whose mother was the chieftain of [[Hatteras Island|Croatoan Island]].{{Sfn|Horn|2010|p= 56}} The expedition's reports described the region as a pleasant and bountiful land, alluding to the [[Golden Age]] and the [[Garden of Eden]], although these accounts may have been embellished by Raleigh.{{Sfn|Quinn|1985|pp= 29–38}}

Queen Elizabeth was impressed with the results of Raleigh's expedition. In 1585, during a ceremony to [[knight]] Raleigh, she proclaimed the land granted to him "[[Colony of Virginia|Virginia]]" and proclaimed him "Knight Lord and Governor of Virginia". Sir Walter Raleigh proceeded to seek investors to fund a colony.{{Sfn|Lawler|2018|p=45}}