William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley

Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

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Queen Elizabeth's first appointment when she ascended to the throne was to make William Cecil her principal Secretary of State, making him the youngest member of her council. Throughout his life, he was the Queen's most influential minister, tempering her actions with cautious but decisive advice. As a result the Queen nicknamed Cecil her 'Spirit'. He was created Baron Burghley in 1571, and was Lord High Treasurer and Chief Minister from 1572. The only serious threat to his influence came from Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, whose great dislike he returned.

National Portrait Gallery, London

London

Title

William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley

Date

after 1572

Medium

oil on panel

Measurements

H 90.5 x W 73.3 cm

Accession number

715

Acquisition method

Given by Barnard's Inn, 1884

Work type

Painting

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