The Outer Banks were explored in 1524 by Giovanni da Verrazzano, who mistook Pamlico Sound for the Pacific Ocean, and concluded that the barrier islands were an isthmus.
Recognizing this as a potential shortcut to Ming China, he presented his findings to King Francis I of France and King Henry VIII of England, neither of whom pursued the matter.

In 1578, Queen Elizabeth I granted a charter to Sir Humphrey Gilbert to explore and colonize territories unclaimed by Christian kingdoms.
The terms of the charter were vague, though Gilbert understood it to give him rights to all territory in the New World north of Spanish Florida.
Following Gilbert's death in 1583, the queen divided the charter between his brother Adrian Gilbert and his half-brother Walter Raleigh.
 Adrian's charter gave him the patent on Newfoundland and all points north, where geographers expected to eventually find a long-sought Northwest Passage to Asia.
Raleigh was awarded the lands to the south, though much of it was already claimed by Spain.
However, Richard Hakluyt had by this time taken notice of Verazzano's "isthmus", located within Raleigh's claim, and was campaigning for England to capitalize on the opportunity.

Raleigh's charter, issued on March 25, 1584, specified that he needed to establish a colony by 1591, or lose his right to colonization.
He was to "discover, search, find out, and view such remote heathen and barbarous Lands, Countries, and territories ... to have, hold, occupy, and enjoy".
It was expected that Raleigh would establish a base from which to send privateers on raids against the treasure fleets of Spain.

Despite the broad powers granted to Raleigh, he was forbidden to leave the queen's side.
Instead of personally leading voyages to the Americas, he delegated the missions to his associates and oversaw operations from London.
The Outer Banks were explored in 1524 by Giovanni da Verrazzano, who mistook Pamlico Sound for the Pacific Ocean, and concluded that the barrier islands were an isthmus. Recognizing this as a potential shortcut to Ming China, he presented his findings to King Francis I of France and King Henry VIII of England, neither of whom pursued the matter.
In 1578, Queen Elizabeth I granted a charter to Sir Humphrey Gilbert to explore and colonize territories unclaimed by Christian kingdoms. The terms of the charter were vague, though Gilbert understood it to give him rights to all territory in the New World north of Spanish Florida. Following Gilbert's death in 1583, the queen divided the charter between his brother Adrian Gilbert and his half-brother Walter Raleigh.  Adrian's charter gave him the patent on Newfoundland and all points north, where geographers expected to eventually find a long-sought Northwest Passage to Asia. Raleigh was awarded the lands to the south, though much of it was already claimed by Spain. However, Richard Hakluyt had by this time taken notice of Verazzano's "isthmus", located within Raleigh's claim, and was campaigning for England to capitalize on the opportunity.
Raleigh's charter, issued on March 25, 1584, specified that he needed to establish a colony by 1591, or lose his right to colonization. He was to "discover, search, find out, and view such remote heathen and barbarous Lands, Countries, and territories ... to have, hold, occupy, and enjoy". It was expected that Raleigh would establish a base from which to send privateers on raids against the treasure fleets of Spain.
Despite the broad powers granted to Raleigh, he was forbidden to leave the queen's side. Instead of personally leading voyages to the Americas, he delegated the missions to his associates and oversaw operations from London.
Roanoke Colony