He was born in Lincolnshire and fought against Spain and the Turks (1596–1604). As one of the governing council of Virginia in 1607, his military discipline and firmness with the Native Americans saved the settlement of Jamestown from collapse. After being burnt in an explosion, he returned to England in 1609. Five years later he explored the New England coast. His optimistic Description of New England (1616) was a powerful encouragement to emigration there in the 1620s and 1630s. (See pocahontas).