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Sir Walter Raleigh’s Top Tips For Avoiding Isolation Boredom: A Thread 
From 1603, famed courtier, writer and explorer Sir Walter Raleigh spent 13 years imprisoned at the Tower of London on the orders of James I. How did he pass the time?
From 1603, famed courtier, writer and explorer Sir Walter Raleigh spent 13 years imprisoned at the Tower of London on the orders of James I. How did he pass the time?
1. Read, read, read 
Although a prisoner, Raleigh’s accommodation was surprisingly comfortable and spacious. He was given 2 rooms on the upper floor of the Bloody Tower, and had access to the Tower library’s collection of 500 books.
Although a prisoner, Raleigh’s accommodation was surprisingly comfortable and spacious. He was given 2 rooms on the upper floor of the Bloody Tower, and had access to the Tower library’s collection of 500 books.
2. Tend to houseplants 
During his adventures around the world Raleigh had amassed a collection of exotic plant seeds. He used these to grow a garden in a small courtyard next to the Bloody Tower (which we’ve recently recreated!)
During his adventures around the world Raleigh had amassed a collection of exotic plant seeds. He used these to grow a garden in a small courtyard next to the Bloody Tower (which we’ve recently recreated!)
3. Write poetry 
Sir Walter was already a pro at this, but give it a go! Long before his imprisonment Raleigh was celebrated in Elizabethan society for his verses offering personal reflections on universal themes such as love, beauty, and time. Inspired?
Sir Walter was already a pro at this, but give it a go! Long before his imprisonment Raleigh was celebrated in Elizabethan society for his verses offering personal reflections on universal themes such as love, beauty, and time. Inspired?
4. Exercise! 
Raleigh was serious about getting his steps in
He took daily exercise along the same stretch of raised wall next to the Bloody Tower, which to this day is known as Sir Walter Raleigh’s Walk.
Raleigh was serious about getting his steps in
He took daily exercise along the same stretch of raised wall next to the Bloody Tower, which to this day is known as Sir Walter Raleigh’s Walk.
5. … 
Sir Walter was allowed regular visitors, including his beloved wife Beth. The couple’s second son Carew was conceived at the Tower and born nearby in 1605
Sir Walter was allowed regular visitors, including his beloved wife Beth. The couple’s second son Carew was conceived at the Tower and born nearby in 1605
6. Brew home remedies 
Raleigh was a keen chemist and alchemist. Be careful with this one though — his homemade ‘Great Cordial’ was an alarming mixture of 40 ingredients, including deer antler and ambergris (a secretion from a sperm whale’s intestine)
Raleigh was a keen chemist and alchemist. Be careful with this one though — his homemade ‘Great Cordial’ was an alarming mixture of 40 ingredients, including deer antler and ambergris (a secretion from a sperm whale’s intestine)
7. Start that big creative project
Take after Sir Walter and be ambitious! In 1614, the first five volumes of Raleigh’s epic ‘Historie of the World’ were published, all of which were written at the Tower. The book was a huge success, reprinted many times during the 1600s.
Take after Sir Walter and be ambitious! In 1614, the first five volumes of Raleigh’s epic ‘Historie of the World’ were published, all of which were written at the Tower. The book was a huge success, reprinted many times during the 1600s.
#OTD in 1616 Raleigh was finally released from the Tower, on orders to lead a new expedition to Guiana in search of gold 
Unfortunately, things didn’t end well…
Find out more about Sir Walter Raleigh’s extraordinary life on the HRP website: http://bit.ly/WalterRaleighTOL
Unfortunately, things didn’t end well… Find out more about Sir Walter Raleigh’s extraordinary life on the HRP website: http://bit.ly/WalterRaleighTOL
