Page 134 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

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134 EARLY ENGLISH ADVENTURERS IN THE EAST

lating at Oxford in 1593, filled a minor position at Eliza­
beth’s Court in the last year of the great Queen’s reign, and,
finding favour with James, was knighted by that monarch
on March 23, 1604-5. Five years later we find him con­
ducting a voyage of discovery to the West Indies and dis­
tinguishing himself as an explorer by sailing 200 miles up
the mighty Amazon, then unknown to people in England,
and subsequently navigating the coast as far as the
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Orinoco. He returned home in 1611, after an absence of
eighteen months. On two subsequent occasions he visited
the same region to prosecute further explorations. In
1614 he had entered the House of Commons as member
for Tamworth, intent apparently on a public career at
home, but the opportunity of proceeding to the East in
the dignified position of ambassador offering he gladly
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seized it, as his fortunes were at a low ebb, and he had some
time previously contracted a secret marriage with a lady
of good family, for whom he desired to make provision.
■;
Apart from his early Court training and the knowledge
of the world which he had acquired on his exploring expe­
ditions Roe was admirably qualified for the role of am-
bassador at an Oriental court. He had a tall and com­
manding presence and a natural air of dignity which well
accorded with it. His manners were easy and courtly,
while a native tact and shrewdness lent strength to a per­
sonality which outwardly was altogether agreeable. Such
a combination of qualities would have been useful in any
diplomatic mission, but it was especially valuable in an
embassy to an Oriental court, where so much turns upon
the impression made upon the individual mind of the
monarch.
It is unnecessary to follow Roe through the various stages

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