Queen Elizabeth's Secret Agents: The Rise of the First Secret Service

I liked this movie better than the "Boleyns." It was more interesting to me probably because Henrywas dead and could not have anyone else beheaded! Even though Henry VIII only had 2 of his wives beheaded, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, he was still treacherous and the acts he committed wereevil. The movie didn't become emotionally involved; it just stated the facts in a pragmatic manner. I likedit and would recommend it to anyone interested in that period of English history.

As the opening to this DVD set, "Queen Elizabeth’s Secret Agents," asserts, Elizabethan England was divided, unstable, and violent. The latter part of the sixteenth century was a time of great change, and the queen faced threats both foreign and domestic. However, she had a network of spies that enabled her to reign for nearly 45 years. Queen Elizabeth had reason to fear for her life—she faced fourteen assassination attempts between 1558 and 1603, and this series looks at England's position in Europe and the threats it faced then.Elizabeth's spy network operated in all factions of English society and extended throughout Europe, and this series shows how the spy network kept public opinion on Elizabeth's side. Elizabeth’s enemies also had spy networks, and the series examines how Elizabeth’s spies cracked the code of her enemies' spies. Father and son William and Robert Cecil were vital in the effort to keep the queen safe, and their role is highlighted. The relatively smooth succession from Elizabeth to James and the foiling of the infamous Gunpowder Plot round out this series that would be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in Tudor or Stuart England.

I just love Tudor history and this video was just excellent. The history concerning the protection of Queen Elizabeth I was very informative and fascinating.

A must have for any history lover.

While this is a back story of the time of Elizabeth I, I felt it did nothing but play up the men behind the throne and none of the queen. Almost at the mercy of her advisors. She was considered to be very smart and an accomplished person, but not in this story.

Even if you don't know too much about England's history, it provides enough background info so you can easily follow along. Wow, the intrigue that went on just to keep the current monarch on the throne is mind boggling!!!

Recommended

I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary. It provided insights into how ruthless Lord Cecil had to be to protect Queen Elizabeth's throne and the extreme measures and tactics he used in order to succeed.

As a lover of British Tudor history I found this DVD to be very informative. A quality documentary on the beginnings of the secret service in Britain. DVD delivery was super quick, arriving way ahead of the stated deadline.

Unfortunately this DVD didn't play on either my player nor my computer. error message was displayed. If I was able I would have selected zero stars. Unfortunately no returns label so I had to send it back t my own cost. Not a good experience

Very happy with item purchased

As expected!

Queen Elizabeth's Golden Reign was also a time of spies and surveillance by an authoritarian state. These short films will inform the viewer about the dangers of freedom of thought in the Good Old Days. Christopher Marlowe, as might be expected, is a main character. The position of Catholics and Catholic priests in particular, in the world of the English Reformation could be seen from one point of view as heroic, noble and just, while from the other side, they were seen as fanatics and traitors. If you don't know the story of Guy Fawkes, you will by the time you've seen this. Well worth the viewing. It may give the viewer some insights into today's world of spies and counter-spies, religious fanaticism, and state-sponsored terrorism