and was overseen by the most ruthless spymaster of them all, Francis Walsingham.

Elizabeth chose an able set of administrators to aid her during her rule, including William Cecil, Lord Burghley as her Secretary of State and Sir Francis Walsingham, in charge of intelligence.

He was born 11th January 1591, the eldest son of Robert, 2nd Earl of Essex and his wife Frances Sidney (nee Walsingham). He had a brother Walter. His father was one of Elizabeth I's favourites but she ...