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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Lord Burghley
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(William Cecil, 1520–98, kt 1551, baron 1571) Chief minister to Elizabeth I for 40 years, first as her principal secretary of state (1558–72) and then as lord treasurer. Trained as a lawyer, and serving as a member of parliament from 1543, he first made his mark in the administration of Somerset, the protector during the reign of Edward VI. From 1550 he was employed by Elizabeth to look after her personal property, and from the start of her reign he saw himself as her servant in fulfilling a shared commitment – to build up a strong and independent England, which would not be undermined by religious faction (whether Roman Catholic or Puritan) or by foreign interests. He was a great builder, though of his various creations only *Burghley House survives. He was followed as the queen's chief counsellor by his son, Robert *Cecil.
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