Final answer:
Sir Humphrey Gilbert was granted a charter in 1578 to explore and colonize North America, but his efforts were cut short when he was lost at sea. The charter was later passed to Sir Walter Raleigh, who attempted to establish the lost colony of Roanoke.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exploration and Colonization Efforts of Sir Humphrey Gilbert
Under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Humphrey Gilbert was granted a charter in 1578, giving him permission to explore and colonize North America with certain conditions. This charter was significant as it aimed to extend English influence and compete with other European powers, such as Spain, in acquiring new territories and riches. Sir Humphrey's plan for colonization, however, ended in tragedy when he was lost at sea during his third expedition. The aim to establish an English colony endured after his death when the grant was passed to his half-brother, Sir Walter Raleigh, who later attempted to establish the 'lost colony' of Roanoke in 1584. These early endeavors set the stage for later English colonization ventures, including those by the Virginia Company of London, which established a permanent settlement at Jamestown under the reign of James I.