Naval War College Review Volume 59 Article 20 Number 3 Summer

2006 Her Majesty’s Spymaster: Elizabeth I, Sir Francis Walsingham,and the Birth of Modern Espionage, John R. Arpin

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Recommended Citation Arpin, John R. (2006) "Her Majesty’s Spymaster: Elizabeth I, Sir Francis Walsingham,and the Birth of Modern Espionage,," Naval War College Review: Vol. 59 : No. 3 , Article 20. Available at: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol59/iss3/20

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Arpin: Her Majesty’s Spymaster: Elizabeth I, Sir Francis Walsingham,and BOOK REVIEWS 157

however, he has written a hundred pages that describe the origins of the empire, racing from pre-Roman times Budiansky, Stephen. Her Majesty’s Spymaster: to the mid-eighteenth century. From Elizabeth I, Sir Francis Walsingham, and the Birth that point forward, Black expands out of Modern Espionage. New York: Penguin, 2005. into his larger study, tracing both the 235pp. $24.95 British Empire’s rise and its decline. In For many years the U.S. intelligence this Black is careful to give weight to community has been dominated by a the three elements of his title: the subculture enraptured with intelligence “Britishness” of that empire, the com- collected by technical means. Despite plexity of its maritime basis, and the the wealth of intelligence these means distinctive differences with other types provide, they do not always lead toward of imperial powers. The book is a dense an understanding of how an opponent collation of factual detail, but the pic- thinks. Many current and former intel- ture that Black paints and the perspec- ligence officers have argued for over a tive that he presents are interesting. He decade that the United States must im- links maritime exploration, trade, mi- prove both its human intelligence and gration, and naval affairs in a broad counterintelligence capabilities; events context while at the same time bringing since 9/11 have reinforced that view in the wide range of cross-cultural is- with a vengeance. sues involved. Even beyond that, Black characterizes the British Empire as the History provides many examples of ef- power that gave indirect rise to America fective intelligence organizations in the and was America’s immediate predeces- days before technical means, and Stephen sor as a global superpower. This linkage, Budiansky, a journalist and military as Black reminds us, allows a reader to historian, has chosen for his subject one begin to think about the connections of the best for his latest book. Budiansky between consecutive global powers. describes the intelligence successes of Sir Francis Walsingham, first as ambas- Imperial history has largely been ig- sador to France and later as Principal nored until recently in academic circles, Secretary to the Privy Council of Queen but Black’s work clearly succeeds in un- Elizabeth I. In the latter role (at the time, derscoring the importance of the Brit- akin to a chief of staff) Walsingham not ish Empire’s maritime nature in its only coordinated domestic and foreign distinctive contribution to the develop- policy but ran the kingdom’s primary ment of the modern world. Black con- secret service. cludes that “if the British Empire is blamed for many of the aspects of mod- Walsingham was a legend in an era ernization and globalization, it also filled with men of legendary stature. serves as a way of offering historical Where others were self-promoting, he depth to a critique of American power, was unobserved. Where many bragged and, in part, this is at issue when British of power and connections, he wielded imperialism is criticized.” power quietly and subtly, but always ef- fectively. His painstaking attention to JOHN B. HATTENDORF detail and his deep understanding of Naval War College human nature made him the ideal spymaster.

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158 NAVAL WARNaval COLLEGE War REVIEW College Review, Vol. 59 [2006], No. 3, Art. 20

The focus of “Mr. Secretary’” (as he was While Walsingham’s network did not known) was maintaining England’s in- survive him (he left no written legacy dependence from the maneuverings of for his successors to follow), the mem- Spain, France, and Rome. Budiansky ory of his effectiveness lives on. describes how Walsingham’s skill in If this book has a fault, it is the lack of gathering and analyzing information discussion on Walsingham’s impact on complemented (if not always easily) later incarnations of the British secret Elizabeth’s talent for political and dip- service. Nonetheless, several maxims at- lomatic intrigue. England, at the time a tributed to him remain sound guidance small fringe state tottering between for today’s intelligence and policy pro- Protestantism and Catholicism, was fessionals. “Knowledge is never too vulnerable to the machinations of the dear” speaks for the value of good intel- great powers of the day. Walsingham ligence. “An habit of secrecy is both played critical roles in countering plots policy and virtue” reminds us that suc- against Elizabeth, the most famous be- cess requires constant effort. Finally, ing that of Mary, Queen of Scots. “See and keep silent” remain watch- Walsingham’s role in the defeat of the words for today’s intelligence profes- Spanish Armada provides a textbook sionals, as they were in the past. example of what intelligence can and JOHN R. ARPIN sometimes cannot provide. He devel- Defense Intelligence Agency oped a comprehensive collection plan Washington, D.C. and employed a network of agents throughout Europe to gather informa- tion. He never blindly trusted any one source, using multiple agents against the same target. As the Armada prepa- Berube, Claude, and John Rodgaard. A Call to the rations came to a head, Walsingham Sea: Captain Charles Stewart of the USS Constitu- commissioned naval reconnaissance tion. Dulles, Va.: Potomac Books, 2005. 299pp. $35 missions of key Spanish ports, and al- though his work provided strategic Charles Stewart was one of the preemi- warning to the crown and the Royal nent officers of the early sailing navy. Navy, contrary winds prevented tactical He is best remembered for the brilliant warning. victory he gained over HMS Cyane and Walsingham understood that intelli- Levant as captain of USS Constitution gence must support decision making— during the War of 1812. Less well known, after all, he was a major player in both however, are the significant contribu- domestic and foreign policy—and en- tions Stewart made to the sea service sured that the information he provided over the remainder of his career—a ca- was focused on those ends. Upon be- reer that witnessed the birth, growth, coming Principal Secretary, he was in- and evolution of the Navy during its formed that the job required him to first six decades of existence. As a cen- know everyone and see everything. By tral figure of the formative period in the the time of his death, both his support- Navy’s history, Charles Stewart has long ers and enemies believed him unsur- merited greater scholarly attention than passed in this regard. he has heretofore received.

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