9. Raleigh fell into disfavor with the Queen
Following the collapse of the colonization effort in North America, Raleigh secretly married Elizabeth Throckmorton, who held a position in court as one of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting. Raleigh did not seek Her Majesty’s permission for the marriage. Elizabeth Throckmorton, known as Bess, was pregnant at her wedding, and gave birth to a son shortly after the marriage took place, though the boy died of plague within a year. Bess resumed her duties as a lady in waiting to the Queen, who discovered the marriage in 1592. In a rage, Elizabeth dismissed Bess and ordered her with her husband imprisoned in the Tower of London. Raleigh remained a prisoner in the Tower for approximately two months before being summoned before Her Majesty, who had need of his services yet again.