Robert Cecil
Who is he?
Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, was a major political figure in the reigns of Elizabeth I and I. He was the second son of Lord Burghley who was Chief Minister to Elizabeth I. Cecil was schooled at home where he learned about politics and statesmanship.
What was his relationship with the monarch like?
Cecil was an intellectual and he preferred a cautious approach in politics. He frequently demonstrated self-control and patience - qualities that stood him in good stead when dealing with Elizabeth.
He had to work harder as James was by any standards a lazy monarch and seemingly left whatever needed to be done to Cecil.
He proved as loyal and hard-working for James as he had been for Elizabeth.
What was his position?
In the last years of Elizabeth's reign, Cecil was Secretary and he was also the government's chief spokesman and manager in the House of Commons. On the death of his father in 1598, Cecil became Chief Minister after a contest with the Earl of Essex. In the last five years of Elizabeth's reign, Cecil took on a vast amount of work by himself, ranging from the war in Ireland, financial matters and the succession question.
On Elizabeth's death in 1603, Cecil became the Chief Minister for James I. That there was a seamless handover between Tudors and Stuarts is down to the work done by Cecil.
In 1608 Cecil became Lord Treasurer but although he was an efficient administrator he was unable to deal with mounting royal debts. Robert Cecil died of stomach cancer in 1612.
What were his achievements or failures?
Robert Cecil played an interesting part in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. He was a trusted servant of James I, who was all but a prime minister in Stuart England. There are historians who believe that sufficient evidence exists to show that Cecil orchestrated the whole plot - unknown to the plotters - to convince James I that Catholics were not to be trusted and that they should once and for all be thrown out of the
Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, was a major political figure in the reigns of Elizabeth I and I. He was the second son of Lord Burghley who was Chief Minister to Elizabeth I. Cecil was schooled at home where he learned about politics and statesmanship.
What was his relationship with the monarch like?
Cecil was an intellectual and he preferred a cautious approach in politics. He frequently demonstrated self-control and patience - qualities that stood him in good stead when dealing with Elizabeth.
He had to work harder as James was by any standards a lazy monarch and seemingly left whatever needed to be done to Cecil.
He proved as loyal and hard-working for James as he had been for Elizabeth.
What was his position?
In the last years of Elizabeth's reign, Cecil was Secretary and he was also the government's chief spokesman and manager in the House of Commons. On the death of his father in 1598, Cecil became Chief Minister after a contest with the Earl of Essex. In the last five years of Elizabeth's reign, Cecil took on a vast amount of work by himself, ranging from the war in Ireland, financial matters and the succession question.
On Elizabeth's death in 1603, Cecil became the Chief Minister for James I. That there was a seamless handover between Tudors and Stuarts is down to the work done by Cecil.
In 1608 Cecil became Lord Treasurer but although he was an efficient administrator he was unable to deal with mounting royal debts. Robert Cecil died of stomach cancer in 1612.
What were his achievements or failures?
Robert Cecil played an interesting part in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. He was a trusted servant of James I, who was all but a prime minister in Stuart England. There are historians who believe that sufficient evidence exists to show that Cecil orchestrated the whole plot - unknown to the plotters - to convince James I that Catholics were not to be trusted and that they should once and for all be thrown out of the