William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (a commoner who rose through the ranks, went to Cambridge and spoke five languages) feels like Elizabeth 1's handler in this brilliant BBC2 documentary series.
I'm watching it as I wish to see how the TV academics are going to handle the John Dee (original 007) subject as the issue of magic has to be processed in a reasonably informed manner.
It reminds me of that Director of MI6 FT interview a few years back where it's pointed out that Oliver Cromwell's spymaster portrait hangs over Sir John Sawyer's desk.
The handler always playing off the power dialectic, which for Cromwell and Elizabeth was Protestant versus Catholic.
These days SIS use the Mickey Mouse ISIS threat to steer the state a course of stability through existing power factions. Usually to keep the Corporation city of London minted.
Update: An excellent podcast on Thomas Cromwell.
Update: An excellent podcast on Thomas Cromwell.
