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— CH. 1 · A PYGMY IN THE COURT —

Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury

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  • Robert Cecil stood barely five feet tall with a spine curved by scoliosis. Queen Elizabeth I called him my pygmy while King James I nicknamed him my little beagle. He endured ridicule for his physical appearance in an age that prized beauty above all else. His father William Cecil recognized Robert possessed political genius despite the hunchbacked frame. This physical reality shaped every interaction he had at court from childhood onward.

  • Cecil first sat in the House of Commons in 1584 representing Westminster. He remained a backbencher until 1593 when he finally made a speech after becoming a Privy Counsellor. By 1597 he led the Council following his fathers death in August 1598. He orchestrated the smooth succession of King James to secure his own power against rivals like Sir Walter Raleigh. Essex rebellion in 1601 targeted Cecil directly though whether it intended his death remains unclear.

  • Around 1600 Cecil began secret correspondence with James VI in Scotland. He persuaded James that he favored claims to the English throne through private letters. The understanding allowed Cecil to assure James of succession and ensure his predominance in the new reign. Conditions demanded James stop seeking parliamentary recognition of his title while keeping communications secret. James took the throne without opposition on the 24th of March 1603 expressing gratitude by elevating Cecil to the peerage.

  • William Parker fourth Baron Monteagle showed Cecil an anonymous letter warning him to stay away from Parliament opening. This document became the celebrated evidence for discovering the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Historians debate at what point Cecil first learned of the conspiracy and how much he acted as agent provocateur. Most likely he heard rumors but lacked firm evidence until Monteagle presented the letter. His attitude toward Catholics remained moderate despite the plot attempting to kill King James I.

  • Salisbury worked hard in 1610-11 to persuade Parliament enact the Great Contract. The plan required the King give up feudal revenue sources for a fixed annual income of approximately £300,000. By 1608 debt had reached £1.4 million though Salisbury managed reducing it to £300,000 by 1610. Francis Bacon argued against the humiliating proposal while King James dissolved Parliament in 1611 against advice. The project lapsed leaving Cecil sick and prematurely aged after years of overwork.

  • King James took possession of Theobalds in 1607 giving Hatfield Palace to Lord Salisbury in exchange. Salisbury tore down parts of the old property using bricks to build Hatfield House which work continued until 1612. He also remodelled Cranborne Manor and built Salisbury House on the Strand. The family supported musicians including William Byrd who composed pavane The Earle of Salisbury in his memory. Cormac MacDermott an Irish harper received patronage from the Cecils alongside Orlando Gibbons and Thomas Robinson.

  • Salisbury journeyed to Bath in spring 1612 seeking cure through waters but obtained little relief. He died of cancer at Marlborough Wiltshire on the 24th of May 1612 a week short of his 49th birthday. His tomb designed by Maximilian Colt rests in St Etheldreda Church Hatfield. Modern portrayals include opera Roberto Devereux by Gaetano Donizetti in 1837 and Gloriana by Benjamin Britten in 1953. Film adaptations range from Elizabeth R in 1971 to Gunpowder Treason Plot in 2004 with Mark Gatiss playing him.

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Knights of the Garter16th-century English nobilityAlumni of St John's College, CambridgePeople of the Elizabethan era

Common questions

What physical characteristics did Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury have?

Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury stood barely five feet tall with a spine curved by scoliosis. Queen Elizabeth I called him my pygmy while King James I nicknamed him my little beagle.

When did Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury die and how old was he?

Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury died of cancer at Marlborough Wiltshire on the 24th of May 1612. He passed away a week short of his 49th birthday after years of overwork.

How did Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury secure the succession of King James to the English throne?

Around 1600 Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury began secret correspondence with James VI in Scotland through private letters. This understanding allowed Cecil to assure James of succession and ensure his predominance in the new reign before James took the throne without opposition on the 24th of March 1603.

What role did Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury play in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605?

William Parker fourth Baron Monteagle showed Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury an anonymous letter warning him to stay away from Parliament opening. This document became the celebrated evidence for discovering the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 though historians debate at what point Cecil first learned of the conspiracy.

Why did Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury work hard to persuade Parliament enact the Great Contract in 1610-11?

Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury worked hard in 1610-11 to persuade Parliament enact the Great Contract because debt had reached £1.4 million by 1608. The plan required the King give up feudal revenue sources for a fixed annual income of approximately £300,000 which Salisbury managed reducing it to £300,000 by 1610.

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49 references cited across the entry

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