Details
WALSINGHAM, Sir FRANCIS. Letter signed ("Frs. Walsingham"), [London], 12 February 1588. 1 page, 8o, minor browning, minor staining at edges due to repairs on verso. WALSINGHAM, ELIZABETH, AND THE SPANISH ARMADA
"These are to require youe to paye or cause to be paid to the bearer hereof Nicholas Stallinge gent[leman] for beinge imployed fower dayes at Dover for her ma[jesties] affaires and for retorninge backe to the courte at nightfall in post allowinge hime in post for three post horses for hime selfe his man and his gwide...". An illuminating note on the methods Walsingham employed in his investigation of the build-up and movement of the Spanish Armada. An agent (Stallinge) received the mailed reports of foreign activities along the Channel and conveyed them to Walsingham (and then to Elizabeth) at Whitehall. Philip II's mission to invade England was undertaken, in part, due to the murder of the Roman Catholic Mary Stuart. Walsingham was among the queen's advisors who advocated Mary's execution. In addition to his duties as Secretary of State, Walsingham ran Elizabeth's Secret Service. Documents relating to these activities are extremely rare.
"These are to require youe to paye or cause to be paid to the bearer hereof Nicholas Stallinge gent[leman] for beinge imployed fower dayes at Dover for her ma[jesties] affaires and for retorninge backe to the courte at nightfall in post allowinge hime in post for three post horses for hime selfe his man and his gwide...". An illuminating note on the methods Walsingham employed in his investigation of the build-up and movement of the Spanish Armada. An agent (Stallinge) received the mailed reports of foreign activities along the Channel and conveyed them to Walsingham (and then to Elizabeth) at Whitehall. Philip II's mission to invade England was undertaken, in part, due to the murder of the Roman Catholic Mary Stuart. Walsingham was among the queen's advisors who advocated Mary's execution. In addition to his duties as Secretary of State, Walsingham ran Elizabeth's Secret Service. Documents relating to these activities are extremely rare.