Roanoke Hundred is an historical novel about the very first attempt to found an English colony in North America in 1585. Although it is a fictional account, the story is based on the letters, diaries, and archives of the period. Every character is based on a real person. 

The entire adventure centers around one of England’s greatest heroes, Sir Richard Grenville. Grenville was lord of the manors of Stowe, Kilkhampton in Cornwall, and of Bideford in Devon. He was also a soldier, an armed merchant fleet owner, privateer, colonizer, and explorer. When queen Elizabeth chose Grenville to organize and lead the ships and men necessary for the expedition to what was then called “Virginia”, she chose wisely. But when the queen chose the prickly Ralph Lane to be the colony’s first governor, she erred grievously. Although the first group of adventurers were replaced after a year, the damage to relations with the native American tribes had been set in motion. 

Meanwhile, the Spanish were mobilizing for a war with England and Grenville was recalled home. He would soon find himself in the middle of the most heroic sea battle ever fought by a single English ship. Tragically, the Roanoke settlement was placed far back in the Royal list of priorities. The Spanish Armada was looming.