The Queen’s Agent: Sir Francis Walsingham and the Rise of Espionage in Elizabethan England

The Queen’s Agent: Sir Francis Walsingham and the Rise of Espionage in Elizabethan England cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Technical
  • ID: 172
  • Added: 2025-09-03
  • Updated: 2025-09-03
  • ISBN: 9781605984100
  • Publisher: Pegasus Books
  • Published: 2013-02-13
  • Reviews: 1

A “superb” portrait of the Tudor-age spymaster that “paints a John le Carré–like world of double-dealing and intrigue” (The Sunday Telegraph). Elizabeth I came to the throne at a time of insecurity and unrest. Rivals threatened her reign; England was a Protestant island, isolated in a sea of Catholic countries. Spain plotted an invasion, but Elizabeth’s Secretary, Sir Francis Walsingham, was prepared to do whatever it took to protect her. He ran a network of agents in England and Europe who provided him with information about invasions or assassination plots. He recruited likely young men and “turned” others. He encouraged Elizabeth to make war against the Catholic Irish rebels, with extreme brutality, and oversaw the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. The Queen’s Agent is a story of secret agents, cryptic codes and ingenious plots, set in a turbulent period of England’s history. It is also the story of a man devoted to his queen, sacrificing his every waking hour to save the threatened English state.

Reviews
publishersweekly.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
enjoyable 4.50

The reviewer found 'The Queen’s Agent' very enjoyable and informative, highlighting Sir Francis Walsingham's significant role beyond being just a spymaster. They appreciated the book's organization but wished for a list of key figures to navigate the complex web of characters.

The reviewer enjoyed 'The Queen’s Agent' for its detailed exploration of Sir Francis Walsingham's life and his crucial role in Elizabethan England. They appreciated how John Cooper organized the complex information, making it accessible despite the intricate web of espionage and political maneuvering. The reviewer particularly valued learning about Walsingham's broader contributions beyond his role as a spymaster, including his support for the Protestant faith and his efforts in national defense. However, they wished the book included a list of key figures and their roles to better navigate the numerous characters involved. Overall, the reviewer highly recommends this book to those interested in Walsingham, the religious conflicts of the time, or Elizabethan espionage.


Quick quotes

    John Cooper navigates the complex web of Walsingham’s life and his spy system to seek the truth about the man who became a legendary spymaster.

    This book had many twists and turns, as any good book about espionage would, however, the one thing that I wish Cooper would have included was a list of names and what they were known for.

    Overall, I found this book very enjoyable. Before this book, I did not know a lot about Walsingham or what he did for Elizabethan England.

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