Sir Walter Raleigh Has a Bad Day
A lost diary was found in a suitcase, that was also lost, believed to have belonged to Sir Walter Raleigh. There is one entry is particular that has captured the attention of experts. Diarist, Harris Day, analyses one entry in particular where he describes that he was in a very bad mood.
“There is one day here, where he says he is not a happy bunny,” Says Harris. “This followed an incident where he dropped his cloak in the mud for the Queen to step on, but did she say ‘Thank you’ afterwards? Did she heck!”
“Cloakgate”, as it is now being referred to, took place outside Westminster Abbey. Sir Walter wrote “I went through all that trouble! I swept out my cloak in the most flamboyant fashion, then laid it down in front of her, so that she could tread it right in the muck! And she didn’t even say ‘Thank you’! It’s going to take me ages to get those stains out now!”
The diary then goes on to describe how female friend, Bess Throckmorton, attempted to cheer him up. “Sir Walter was being more moody than a Spaniard having his ship robbed,” Said Harris. “And oh, look here, it says that Bess told Walter that they should just get married for a laugh without the Queen’s permission, just to see the look on the Queen’s face! Imagine what fun that would be!”
Bess’ suggestion, however, failed to lighten Sir Walter’s spirits, who replied “Next time, I won’t bother getting my cloak out! She can just drown in the puddle for all I care! I can’t even say that though because to imagine the death of the Queen drowning in a puddle is treason!”
Harris Day then finds yet another entry in the diary which describes what happened when Elizabeth was asked about the incident. She recalls “I remember leaving the Abbey and then, looking up. I saw this amazing Swan that had just come out of nowhere! I remember thinking how great it would look on a pie!” When asked about stepping onto Sir Walter’s cloak on the puddle, however, she replied “A cloak? I stepped onto a cloak? No, I didn’t see that. Who is he?”
You can read more from the diary of Sir Walter Raleigh in an historical museum near you, very soon (if you know who he is).
Image - Portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh, English School 18th Century.