The Cecil Papers are a privately held archive of approximately 30,000 sixteenth and seventeenth-century manuscripts, consisting principally of the correspondence of William Cecil, Lord Burghley (1520-1598) and his son Robert, the 1st Earl of Salisbury (1563-1612). Because of the importance of the Cecils, the materials offer crucial insights into the events of one of the most dynamic periods of history, including the marriages of Henry VIII, through the reign of Elizabeth I and the clandestine plans to facilitate James I/VI’s accession, upon her death. In addition to the documents relating to English domestic politics, also covered in detail are overseas occurrences and interactions with other powers, through the reports of English ambassadors to the courts of Europe and the network of overseas agents.
ERC:John Tofanelli
Access:IP