Francis Walsingham was Queen Elizabeth I’s principal secretary and a key figure in English intelligence. He used an extensive network of agents to gather information and thwart plots against the queen, while also offering his caustic advice. He was a patron of the arts and sciences and helped strengthen England as a global power. He died in debt in 1590.
Sir Francis Walsingham (~1530-1590) is best remembered for his service to the English state under Queen Elizabeth I. As principal secretary to the queen, Walsingham looked after the interests of the state in a variety of ways, from routine diplomatic missions to espionage. Some historians regard Walsingham as the “father of modern intelligence,” citing his determined and sometimes unusual methods of acquiring information. He was certainly a complex man in an already complex era of English history.
Like many Englishmen of noble birth, Francis Walsingham was well educated and actually studied at Cambridge for a while, even if he did not sit the exams for his degree. He studied law briefly before leaving England when Mary assumed the throne of England. As a staunch Protestant, Walsingham felt he could not live under a Catholic queen, although according to some accounts, he worked from abroad to bring Elizabeth I to the throne.
Following the coronation of Elizabeth I, Walsingham returned to England to serve the state. He investigated threats to the kingdom and the ruler, uncovering several major plots to overthrow Elizabeth and replace her with a Catholic ruler. He used an extensive network of agents across England and Europe, constantly gathering and processing information. His agents were given training in a variety of espionage techniques so they could open mail, interpret codes and ciphers, and extract information in other ways.
In addition to serving as the Queen’s chief spy, Walsingham also offered his advice, which was at times extremely caustic and cutting. Many of Walsingham’s surviving speeches and writings suggest that he had an outspoken and acerbic personality, although he could be quite pleasant and charming when he was on assignment abroad. Walsingham undoubtedly distinguished himself in Queen Elizabeth I’s colorful court, for he wore simple, dark clothes and did not hide behind graceful words, as many courtiers did.
Along with many other advisers, Francis Walsingham helped strengthen England as a global power and Elizabeth as queen. He gave generously to the arts and sciences, promoting English exploration of foreign lands and acting as a patron to painters, playwrights and others. As a valued member of Elizabeth’s Privy Council, Walsingham was endowed with money and property, most of which he invested in strengthening the English state. In 1577, Walsingham was knighted in recognition of his achievements on behalf of England; he died deeply in debt in 1590, thanks to his often unrecognized generosity.
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