Francis Walsingham was the first 'spymaster' in the modern sense. His methods anticipated those of MI5 and MI6 and even those of the KGB. He maintained a network of spies across Europe, including double-agents at the highest level in Rome and Spain - the sworn enemies of Queen Elizabeth and her Protestant regime. His entrapment of Mary Queen of Scots is a classic intelligence operation that resulted in her execution. As Robert Hutchinson reveals, his cypher expert's ability to intercept other peoples' secret messages and his brilliant forged letters made him a fearsome champion of the young Elizabeth. Yet even this machiavellian schemer eventually fell foul of Elizabeth as her confidence grew (and judgement faded). The rise and fall of Sir Francis Walsingham is a Tudor epic, vividly narrated by a historian with unique access to the surviving documentary evidence.
Elizabeth's Spymaster
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'An accessible, authoritative account of Francis Walsingham's life and work. Written with a sense of the dramatic... The author is very good at evoking the atmosphere of suspicion and paranoia during Elizabeth's reign and seems to relish describing the methods of torture at Walsingham's disposal and the brutality of the age. It makes Elizabethan statecraft immediate and entertaining.' (THE BOOK MAGAZINE )
'Robert Hutchinson's lucid and learned volume gives us a vivid portrait of Walsingham... an excellent book.' (Frank McLynn INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY )
'Walsingham emerges from these pages as a hero of epic stature.' (DAILY TELEGRAPH )
'compelling' (LITERARY REVIEW )
'Hutchinson neatly combines his expert knowledge with an impressive narrative suspense and mordant sense of humour... A darkly informative read.' (WATERSTONE'S BOOKS QUARTERLY )
'The story told here is intense and compelling.' (BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE )
'Impeccably researched... the author has constructed what almost amounts to a thriller in this gripping narrative.' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE )
'full of stimulating detail... vivid glimpses of the world of Elizabethan espionage' (Simon Callow THE GUARDIAN )
'superb research' (THE TABLET )
'by shining a light into the murky world he inhabited , the author grants [Walsingham] his proper place in English history.' (THIS ENGLAND )
'the strength of this book lies in its combination of brilliant original research with a compelling narrative.' (HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
'Robert Hutchinson's lucid and learned volume gives us a vivid portrait of Walsingham... an excellent book.' (Frank McLynn INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY )
'Walsingham emerges from these pages as a hero of epic stature.' (DAILY TELEGRAPH )
'compelling' (LITERARY REVIEW )
'Hutchinson neatly combines his expert knowledge with an impressive narrative suspense and mordant sense of humour... A darkly informative read.' (WATERSTONE'S BOOKS QUARTERLY )
'The story told here is intense and compelling.' (BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE )
'Impeccably researched... the author has constructed what almost amounts to a thriller in this gripping narrative.' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE )
'full of stimulating detail... vivid glimpses of the world of Elizabethan espionage' (Simon Callow THE GUARDIAN )
'superb research' (THE TABLET )
'by shining a light into the murky world he inhabited , the author grants [Walsingham] his proper place in English history.' (THIS ENGLAND )
'the strength of this book lies in its combination of brilliant original research with a compelling narrative.' (HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
The incredible real life story of the world's first super spy
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Nimrod
Format:Paperback
A fascinating glimpse into the world of the Elizabethan secret service is given here. An immensely interesting subject. But what about the actual structure of the book itself - and in particular the length? It runs to 416 pages in my copy, of which pages 275 onwards are taken up with: firstly an appendix detailing it seems just about every person Walsingham ever had within his spy network; then a long section of notes; a chronology; a section called 'dramatis personae;' an enormous bibliography and finally a gigantic index. In other words the actual biographical text of the book itself runs to just 274 pages - from which we need to subtract the front matter and acknowledgements, which takes us to the real start of the biography proper on page 15.
So, 259 pages of text in rather large type-face. All this underlines the point that very little is known about Walsingham, and if you just stick to the facts, as the author has done admirably here, there is really not that much to say, and really not much to pad-out a book of this kind! All this, the author would probably have not had much say over, and is perhaps a further example, of which there are many these days, of a publisher endeavouring to make the book appear more acceptable in length for the bookshelves. Given the choice I would give the author four stars for his work, but the publisher only one.
However, that set aside, this is a well researched piece of work, and treats the often very emotive subject matter with neutrality, not taking sides it seems one way or another, which is commendable. I would have liked to see more on the intriguing subject of ciphers that were used extensively at this time, and of how these developed over Walsingham's career. The Babbington plot and the armada are covered, of course, and there is a length chapter dealing with the trial of Mary Queen of Scots, which has been written about at great length elsewhere. So nothing much new added in that respect. Walsingham himself is in the background a lot of the time, an observer of these events. But again, there is not much known about what he got up to. It was after all secret! So, if you are looking for a good, all-round introduction to what we know about this interesting man, which is not a lot, then yes - this volume is worth a look. But it is, by necessity, short.
So, 259 pages of text in rather large type-face. All this underlines the point that very little is known about Walsingham, and if you just stick to the facts, as the author has done admirably here, there is really not that much to say, and really not much to pad-out a book of this kind! All this, the author would probably have not had much say over, and is perhaps a further example, of which there are many these days, of a publisher endeavouring to make the book appear more acceptable in length for the bookshelves. Given the choice I would give the author four stars for his work, but the publisher only one.
However, that set aside, this is a well researched piece of work, and treats the often very emotive subject matter with neutrality, not taking sides it seems one way or another, which is commendable. I would have liked to see more on the intriguing subject of ciphers that were used extensively at this time, and of how these developed over Walsingham's career. The Babbington plot and the armada are covered, of course, and there is a length chapter dealing with the trial of Mary Queen of Scots, which has been written about at great length elsewhere. So nothing much new added in that respect. Walsingham himself is in the background a lot of the time, an observer of these events. But again, there is not much known about what he got up to. It was after all secret! So, if you are looking for a good, all-round introduction to what we know about this interesting man, which is not a lot, then yes - this volume is worth a look. But it is, by necessity, short.
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This fascinating volume is a well written account of the intriguing life of Francis Walshingham - a brilliant man, who we now believe to be one of the first " spy masters" in our history. During his remarkable career, he was involved in one form or another in all of the above activities and perhaps many more too. With a network of loyal informers, he was successful in infiltrating many of these Catholic families and by also placing his men inside the Vatican itself and the Spanish Armada too, was able to foil several assassination attempts on the Queen's life.
There is no doubt, that the author has carried out a vast amount of original and painstaking research . His dramatic text is supported with several beautiful full colour plates and excellent period engravings. The detailed bibliography and notes in the appendix will, I feel sure, be a valuable aid to further research.
This excellent publication will surprise even the more knowledgeable of historians, it will be invaluable for those researching this particular period of history and is a must read for anyone interested in intelligence matters. Family and local history researchers may uncover one or two surprises between the pages.
There is no doubt, that the author has carried out a vast amount of original and painstaking research . His dramatic text is supported with several beautiful full colour plates and excellent period engravings. The detailed bibliography and notes in the appendix will, I feel sure, be a valuable aid to further research.
This excellent publication will surprise even the more knowledgeable of historians, it will be invaluable for those researching this particular period of history and is a must read for anyone interested in intelligence matters. Family and local history researchers may uncover one or two surprises between the pages.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By J. Meyer
Format:Paperback
First - I wish I had the wit, skill and talent to have written this superb 'page turner', not a term you normaly use for a historical publication, but this is truly a winner, well to me anyway.
Its a good read, well written, great subject, should be made into a film.
The product of a good writer who knows how to entertain and inform, not a boring historical text book by some historical 'expert' who feels you should read without comment and agree, but a book that talks to you as a friend and keeps you needing to read more.
Its a good read, well written, great subject, should be made into a film.
The product of a good writer who knows how to entertain and inform, not a boring historical text book by some historical 'expert' who feels you should read without comment and agree, but a book that talks to you as a friend and keeps you needing to read more.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Very interesting book... If you like our history specially this period you will enjoy this book. These compulsory words are too long .....
Published 2 months ago by A. Cobb
4.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed
I didn't find thisthe easiest read but it was sointeresting that I perevered. I am glad I did because by the end I had really enjoyed it.
Published 3 months ago by David New
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful book.
I admit that my curiosity concerning Walsingham dates from the wonderful film Elizabeth. The Walsingham of Robert Hutchinson's book, ELIZABTH'S SPY MASTER, is portrayed as being... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Boyd Hone
4.0 out of 5 stars
Recomended
If you are interested in Walsingham and are not sure where to start you could do a lot worse than reading this . Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. A. M. Langcake
4.0 out of 5 stars
The origins of the Secret Service?
I was hoping for a more straightforward biography of Francis Walsingham than this book proved to be, but it was a good read nonetheless. Read more
Published 22 months ago by C. Ball
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as detailed as I would have liked
For those interested in the life of Francis Walsingham this is a must read, but partly because there are not many books out there that cover this potentially interesting figure. Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2010 by Clare Topping
4.0 out of 5 stars
Elizabeth's Spy Master
A cogent, well written account of the life of an Elizabethan official who was light years ahead of his time in the organising of intelligence. Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2010 by Mr. Ian N. Roddis
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing book
this si the most informative book about the life of walsingham that i have ever read. it shows how much he sacrificed to protect his queen and country and how under appreciated he... Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2009 by S. Clifford
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very well researched
A very well researched and meticulously documented account of Walsingham's activities defending his country and Queen against Catholic plots both real and in some cases imaginary... Read more
Published on 12 April 2008 by John Hopper
4.0 out of 5 stars
The real Walsingham remains hidden
I can't fault the professionalism and command of detail in this excellent book. Hutchinson builds on his knowledge of the period by supplying a powerful portrayal of the founding... Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2008 by Withnail67
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