Answer
Sir Walter Raleigh delayed White's return to Roanoke due to the Spanish Armada. The Spanish Armada was a large fleet of ships sent by Spain in 1588 to invade England. The Armada was defeated by the English navy, but the defeat delayed White's return to Roanoke. White had left Roanoke in 1587 to get supplies, but he was unable to return until 1590.