Harcourt began his studies at Oxford University as a gentleman-commoner of St. Alban Hall on 10 April 1590 and stayed there about three years.
[1] At this time, Harcourt was involved in a dispute with his brother-in-law, Anthony Fitzherbert, about his claim to the manor of Norbury, Derbyshire.
He also appears to have been a target for penalties for Catholicism: on 8 November 1609 one Robert Campbell obtained a grant of the benefit of his recusancy.
He ultimately obtained letters patent empowering him to plant and inhabit the land at Guiana, but was prevented from ever visiting it again.
The following April, Harcourt issued a Proposal for the formation of a Company of Adventurers to the river Amazon, and an enlarged edition of his book, with the conditions laid down by him for settlers in Guiana.