Page 85 - All About History 58 - 2017 UK

The Dark Arts of Elizabeth’s Spymaster

The
Dark Arts

of Elizabeth’s
Spymaster

The extreme lengths Sir Francis Walsingham was willing to go to

protect the Virgin Queen from plotters and foreign powers

Written by Frances White

he Elizabethan era is often seen as Fortunately, England had its own man in the Walsingham experienced a privileged education
a golden age for England. The Virgin shadows, a pioneer that would set the standard for but like many staunch Protestants, he had to
Queen offered stability after the bloody secret intelligence for centuries. But like so many flee the country when the zealous Catholic Mary
reigns of her brother and sister, Edward spies living on the edge, this man and his agents Tudor ascended the throne. During this period
TVI and Mary I. This led to a flourishing would blur the line between right and wrong to he lived in Italy, developing his language abilities
of literarure, art and music, with Shakespeare protect queen and country. and, more importantly, his people skills. This
performing regularly in London. England also Francis Walsingham was born into a well- was the first time he had been able to meet and
established its first colony, following Sir Walter connected family — one of many that who had converse with all different kinds of people and
Raleigh’s exploration of the New World. However, found their wealth in the capital, then moved out he would later comment that it was important
the truth is that 16th century England was the and established themselves as landed gentry in to take note of the “manners and dispositions”
centre of a web of political intrigue. Elizabeth I the countryside. His father was a well-connected of people from all walks of life. Walsingham was
was in constant danger of plots to overthrow her, lawyer but he died when Francis was only two already cultivating the shrewd charisma and
with discontented Catholics who wanted to see an years old. His mother quickly remarried to Sir John persuasiveness that would see him become one
end to Protestant rule. These plotters were often in Carey, a relation of Anne Boleyn through marriage. of the most powerful men in England.
league with the most powerful nations in Europe, His strong familial links placed young Walsingham When Elizabeth was crowned in 1558, it was
including Spain, France and the Papacy, all of right in the centre of the most powerful players in finally safe for Walsingham to return to the
whom had spies in the Queen’s court. England at the time. country. Only a few months later, he was elected

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