Did Sir Walter Raleigh adopt young black boy from Guyana?

London, Jan 24 (ANI): One of Britain's best-known historical figures, Sir Walter Raleigh, who is famed for his exploration of the New World, had brought back a young black boy from Guyana, according to newly discovered records.

Going by the records, the boy from Americas became ensconced in the explorer's household.

Now, centuries after his death, a novel chapter of his life has emerged following the chance discovery of a baptism register in the London Metropolitan Archives.

The boy may have been one of the earliest - and certainly one of the youngest - "natives" brought to Britain to be marvelled at in the royal court, reports The Times.The register was uncovered by archive staff and The Times. It records the baptism of a young Guyanan boy in the Parish of Saint Luke, in Chelsea, on February 13, 1597.

The register reveals that the boy, named Charles and estimated to be aged between 10 and 12 years old, was brought to the church by "Sir Walter Rawlie" - a common spelling of the explorer's name at the time.

Historians and researchers said they had been unaware of the boy's existence and that the find was significant. (ANI)