Queen Elizabeth I gave Sir Walter Raleigh permission to establish the Roanoke colony in North America in 1585. The first group of 100 settlers struggled due to lack of supplies and Indian attacks, returning to England. In 1587, Raleigh sent another group led by John White, but White had to return to England for supplies, leaving the colony deserted with just the word "Croatoan" carved as a clue. The Roanoke colony ultimately failed due to lack of planning, supplies, and people to defend against enemy attacks and storms.