why did it take John white three years to return Roanoke?

John White's return to Roanoke was primarily delayed due to the fact that Spain launched a naval attack on England. The conflict, known as the Anglo-Spanish War, resulted in increased tensions and a need for English ships and resources to be allocated for defense against the Spanish Armada. Consequently, this situation made it difficult for White to secure a ship and provisions to return to Roanoke in a timely manner. While other factors such as storms or visiting other locations could have played a role, the primary reason was the geopolitical situation of the time.