First Earl of Salisbury

Article abstract: As the principal secretary to both Queen Elizabeth and King James I, Cecil managed Parliament, supervised the peaceful transition from Tudor to Stuart rule, and negotiated a peace treaty with Spain.

Early Life

Robert Cecil was the second son born to Queen Elizabeth’s Lord Treasurer, William Cecil, Lord Burghley, by his second wife, Mildred, the daughter of Sir Anthony Cooke. A frail child, Cecil grew up with a twisted foot, a bent back, a short stature, and a keen mind. His education was closely supervised by his father, who...

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