Failures of the colony

• People in the colony

  • Craftsmen
  • No stone masons
• There were not enough farmers
• Many of the colonists were seeking quick riches and profit. They were not prepared for the work they needed to put in to establish a colony
• Farmers had opted in to start a new life with their own land, not to work for others
• The leader Granville was quick tempered and he did not get along with the appointed governor of Virginia Ralph Lane
• The merchants and noblemen expected the English farmers and Native Americas to work for them but soon realised that was not reality
• Poor leadership and a lack of skills


  The ships left England too late in the season to plant crops. This led to the English colonists having to rely on Native Americas for food.
• Timing of the Voage

  The ships left England too late in the season to plant crops. This led to the English colonists having to rely on Native Americas for food.
• Timing of the voyage

  At first relations between the English and Native Americas were positive. But it quickly declined as the English asked and demanded more help. The local chief Wingina, from Roanoke, was suspicious of the English. Relations grew worse and by winter 1585 there were violent clashes between the English and Native Americans. There is evidence that Wingina and other local tribes planned to attack the English. However, the English left before that took place.
• Native American Attack

  The climate in Virginia was hot and humid. Food brought from England quickly rotted. One of the ships, the Tiger, was damaged on route. Seawater entered the hull where food and crops were stored.
• War with Spain

  From 1585 England was at war with Spain. The threat from the Armada meant that few ship would visit or bring supplies. The colonists were isolated.