All His Spies: The Secret World of Robert Cecil

by Stephen Alford

From the acclaimed author of The Watchers, the untold story of Robert Cecil - the ultimate Tudor spy-master

Robert Cecil, statesman and spymaster, lived through an astonishingly threatening period in English history. Queen Elizabeth had no clear successor and enemies both external and internal threatened to destroy England as a Protestant state, most spectacularly with the Spanish Armada and the Gunpowder Plot.

Cecil stood at the heart of the Tudor and then Stuart state, a vital figure in managing the succession from Elizabeth I to James I & VI, warding off military and religious threats and steering the decisions of two very different but equally wilful and hard-to-manage monarchs. The promising son of Queen Elizabeth’s chief minister Lord Burghley, for Cecil there was no choice but politics, and he became supremely skilled in the arts of power, making many rivals and enemies.

All His Spies is a wonderfully engaging and original work of history. Many readers are familiar with the great events of this tumultuous time, but All His Spies shows how easily these dramas could have turned out very differently. Cecil’s sureness of purpose, his espionage network and good luck all conspired to keep England uninvaded and to create a new ‘British’ monarchy which has endured to the present day.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, European History, Audiobook, British Literature, Tudor Period

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 4, 2024

About the author

Stephen Alford FRHistS (born 1970) is a British historian and academic. He has been professor of early modern British history at the University of Leeds since 2012. Educated at the University of St Andrews, he was formerly a British Academy Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge (1997–99) and junior research fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and, between 1999 and 2012, a fellow in history at King's College, Cambridge. He has been a fellow of the Royal Historical Society since 2000.

Reviews

[Geevee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book a struggle whilst also finding it informative.

There is much research behind this book, and the detail about the Cecils (Robert and his father William the Lord Burghley), Ribert Deveraux the Lord Essex, Francis Bacon and the court of Elizabeth and later James I (and VI of Scotland is impressive.

All of it useful and I have learnt much, but what stopped me enjoying the book more was I found it a slog through that detail and as such didn't find the enjoyment allied to the insight I'd wanted from it.

My copy was the 2025 Penguin paperback edition. There are some useful and clear maps plus 30 colour pictures of the main subjects, sites and documents covered in the book.

Rated as three stars in GR's system, which means I liked it (but certainly not enough for a 4-star, I loved it).

[K.J. Charles]

An overly detailed bio of Robert Cecil (did we need quite so many updates on how he felt about his son's handwriting?) which for me still didn't create much sense of a person, but also didn't really give me that much insight into what Cecil did as spymaster. Which may be because it's not available, spies not tending to keep complete written records, but I did want a lot more on the nitty gritty given the title. There is a lot on Essex, the world's dullest rebel, and on how to upwards-manage a monarch, but I found it a bit too pedagogical.

[History Today]

Tudor and Stuart spies appear to be coming in from the cold this summer. The Cecils – subject of a now-complete trilogy by Stephen Alford – were the most powerful royal ministers for over five decades, a reign begun by William, 1st Baron Burghley and inherited by his son, Robert, who took over the role of spymaster from his father and became secretary of state to both Elizabeth I and James I. Robert’s intimacy with his sovereigns is reflected in Elizabeth’s pet name of ‘pygmy’ for him, a reference to his short stature caused by severe scoliosis. To James, Robert was his ‘Little Beagle’, the smallest of English hunting dogs, but also a word meaning spy. Robert was indeed more than that to the Scottish king: it was he who eased James’ accession in England in 1603. Two years earlier James had urged his ambassadors at the English court to give Robert the full assurance of his favour as the man who, in James’ opinion, was ‘king there in effect’.

Despite his prominence at not one but two royal courts, Robert Cecil’s life has been obscured, both by the dominance of his father and by his own instinctive caution and secrecy when committing pen to paper. His father’s close attention to Robert’s education was aimed at preparing him for royal service; his easy passage into Elizabeth’s confidence was resented by many of his contemporaries. From his late 20s, Robert increasingly took on the work of the secretary of state in tandem with his father, who died in 1598. Robert became the leading English minister until his own death in 1612, aged 48.

These were years when fears and rumours of treason, imminent Spanish invasion and Catholic assassination plots against Elizabeth were rife. Robert was at the centre of the intelligence gathering and policy-making intended to protect the queen. He took decisive action in bringing traitors to justice and was instrumental in securing evidence against Elizabeth’s personal physician-in-chief, Dr Ruy Lopez, accused of conspiring to poison her in 1594. Robert also participated in the trials of both Robert Devereux, 2nd earl of Essex after his failed coup against Elizabeth in 1601, and of the Jesuit priest Henry Garnet for complicity in the Gunpowder Plot. Much of the evidence against these men was obtained from Robert’s network of spies, an unreliable group of chancers, double, even triple, agents and Catholics, who were given a certain amount of immunity for ratting on their contacts abroad. Spies could not always rely on their patrons for help and their masters often did not much care for them. When George Nicolson, Robert’s agent at the Scottish court, sent him a ‘fair standing bowl’ as a New Year’s gift, Cecil promptly sold it.

Read the rest of the review at HistoryToday.com.

Jackie Eales is President of the British Association for Local History and a Professor of Early Modern History at Canterbury Christ Church University.

[Holly Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed finding out about Robert Cecil and his involvement and contributions to British history. I was particularly fascinated to discover that Robert Cecil had a hand in the smooth transition from Elizabeth I’s death to the accession of James I.

However I did feel that perhaps for the majority of the book, it focused on other figures such as James I, Robert Devereaux, William Cecil etc rather than Robert Cecil himself- I think this was partially author choice and partially due to the fact that focusing solely on Cecil wouldn’t be much of a book! For me though, that was slightly disappointing as I wanted a more intimate analysis of Robert Cecil’s life. Perhaps looking more into Bess Cecil and their children would have providing different perspectives.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review relates to the audiobook edition of this title.

I had this much-anticipated book on pre-order and downloaded it as soon as it became available yesterday.

I have valiantly listened to three hours, hoping time plus the story would reel me in and captivate me for the rest of the book. But I have failed miserably to do that.

It gave me time to determine why it’s not worked for me. I think it’s the author’s reading style - it’s quite monotone, making it difficult to distinguish between narrative and factual quotes from contemporary documents.

It’s the same voice, or rather tone of voice, throughout, regardless of whether it is narrative or one of the subject characters ‘speaking’. Thus a poor telling of an important aspect of our history, especially compared to audiobook versions of ‘George V’ and ‘Bertie’ (author: Jane Ridley) where the characters therein are readily heard.

Having listened for three hours I’m really none the wiser apart from learning the Hatfield House was built in a place formerly known as Tibbles. I really can't recall anything else I learned, and thus it has been a huge disappointment.

[Tony Riches · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Alford's All His Spies offers a captivating dive into the life and times of Robert Cecil, one of the most influential figures in Elizabethan and Jacobean England. As Queen Elizabeth I's chief minister and spymaster, Cecil played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's destiny.

Professor Alford's meticulous research brings to life the complex world of espionage and intrigue that Robert Cecil navigated. The book delves into the intricate networks of spies Cecil cultivated both domestically and abroad, revealing the lengths he went to protect England from threats, both foreign and domestic.

A highlight is the exploration of Robert Cecil's involvement in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The author masterfully uncovers the behind-the-scenes machinations that led to the foiling of this audacious attempt to assassinate King James I and his government.

All His Spies is more than a biography; it's a fascinating exploration of the history of espionage and the role it played in shaping the course of English history. Stephen Alford's writing is engaging and accessible, making this complex subject matter enjoyable for history enthusiasts and casual readers.

[Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following on from his very readable The Watchers, an account of Elizabethan spycraft, Stephen Alford moves into the end of Elizabeth's reign and the beginning of the Jacobean period with a biography of the spymaster-in-chief, Robert Cecil, eventually first earl of Salisbury. As with the Watchers, All His Spies is a well paced read, never getting bogged down in detail that takes us through the period from the execution of Mary Queen of Scots and the Spanish Armada (during which Cecil was a precocious teenager) through to the troubled ending of Elizabeth's reign, the delicate negotiations of James VI and I succession and of course the gunpowder plot.

Throughout this the hunchbacked secretary is the spider at the centre of events, though as this is more of a biography rather than simply an account of spies and plots we also see Cecil increase his wealth, lose his beloved wife in childbirth and manoeuvre against his two rivals Frances Bacon (pushed to the margins) and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex (beheaded). Had Hilary Mantel lived on it could easily be envisaged that Wolf Hall Mark II (Theobalds? Hatfield? Salisbury House?) could have made a fine set of novels.

[Jon Lisle-Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The machinery of power and its maintenance

The precarious situation of the Protestant English state at the edge of the mostly Catholic Europe required diligence and intelligence. William Cecil and his son Robert supplied both to Good Queen Bess, successfully.
Robert Cecil also managed the very tricky succession from Elizabeth I to James VI and I, without conflict - no mean achievement in that era.
This is as good an account as you will find anywhere of the espionage necessary for England's survival. Fascinating.

[Jason Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ceil was one of Queen Elizabeth 1’s diplomats and spy masters and his story is a fascinating Insight into the time. From the armada and the Babington plot to the much contested succession of James and the gunpowder plot , a rich chronicle.

[SophieJaneK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and detailed. Because there is so much information, this book requires 100 percent attention without distraction. Not the sort you can read on the bus or train!! Maybe that is why I am not perhaps rating it as highly as it deserves!!

[JenniferB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, and did give quite a good atmosphere of the age, but I found it very bitty, and information on the spies was very hard to find.

[Kate Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Not quite as interesting as the title leads you to expect.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[Keely · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7ish.

[Luisseff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesante libro de historia, desde una perspectiva poco habitual, la de los espías en el s.XVI durante el reinado de Isabel I de Inglaterra (Tudor) y su sucesor Jacobo I de Inglaterra (y VI de Escocia) con quien arrancó la dinastía de los Estuardo.

La figura central sobre la que versa todo el libro es Robert Cecil, Conde de Salisbury, un estadista inglés que de débil físico, tenía una enorme lucidez e inteligencia, motivo por el que fue el hombre de confianza de ambos monarcas.

Al margen de sus importantes capacidades y responsabilidades políticas, fue el cerebro de la red de espionaje que a través de diversos países de Europa, se reveló tan crucial para el lo que fue el destino de Inglaterra, en una época en la que la corona española era su mayor enemigo (victoria sobre la Armada Invencible, y apoyo a los sublevados de Flandes contra Felipe II).

Un interesante compendio histórico que bien podría leerse como una novela de intriga, aunque reconozco que a ratos tanto dato y fecha se me ha hecho un poco pesado. Aún así más que relevante obra de investigación y divulgación.