Final answer:
The Virginia Company was granted a Royal Charter from King James I in 1606 to establish colonies and exploit resources in the New World, leading to the founding of Jamestown.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1606, the Virginia Company received a Royal Charter from King James I to exploit the natural resources of the New World. This initiative aimed to find gold and spread Christianity among the indigenous populations, aspiring to convert and civilize them. The Virginia Company formed two branches: the London branch, which established a colony near the Chesapeake Bay, and the Plymouth branch, focused on the New England area. Despite difficult beginnings, with hardships such as starvation, disease, and conflicts with Native American tribes, the settlers persevered. Jamestown, established by this company, became the first permanent English settlement in North America, symbolizing the start of extensive English colonization in the new world.