17. Raleigh was charged with treason for his alleged role in the “Main Plot”
Whether or not there actually was a conspiracy to deny the throne to James VI and I which became known as the “Main Plot” has never been determined to a certainty by historians. James was the son of Mary, half-sister to the late Queen Elizabeth, who had been tried and executed by the English monarch. James had long entertained resentments against those who had been loyal to Elizabeth at the expense of Mary, including Walter Raleigh and other named members of the Main Plot. In the summer of 1603 Raleigh and other conspirators were charged by the king with treason, for conspiring with the Spanish to overthrow the throne and establish a Stuart line of succession through Lady Arbella Stuart. Raleigh was arrested and brought to London for trial.