The Secretary

• Henry VII

  • Richard Fox as Secretary, he’d worked for Henry Vii since his time in exile
  • Made secretary of state in 1485
  • Kept privy seal as of 1487
  • directed defence of northern england during the Warbeck rebellion
  • Negotiator ->treaty of etaples with france in 1492
• Elizabeth

  • Made the role of secretary permanently important as men apointed could conduct the day to day running of the government.
  • ensured that council meetings were well run
  • Held by William Cecil for 14 years (1558-1572)
  • Controlled all written communication between Queen and State
• Elizabeth - Negative councils, case study

  • William Davison was Secretary in 1586 and had the responsibility of keeping death warrants that had been issued for Mary Quos - Davison needed Elizabeth’s signature, but the council overwhelmingly decided to send the warrant
  • Elizabeth was furious and fined Davison 10,000 marks.
• Henry the 8th


  • Secretaries became political important under thomas Cromwell as e used his position to control council council meetings
  • His knowledge of day-to-day meetings meant that he could see the kings private correspondence
  • Minimal political importance after the fall of Cromwell
  • role split between Wriothesely and Sadier - No man could exploit the position
• How did the Role of the Secretary Change after 1540?

  • Post of Principal Secretary is split between Sir Thomas Wriothesley and Sir Ralph Sadler
  • Following Execution of Thomas Cromwell in July 1540