Elizabethan Secret Agent: The Untold Story of William Ashby (1536-1593)

The only biography of William Ashby, an Elizabethan intelligence agent and diplomat who served as ambassador to Scotland during the Spanish Armada crisis. Focusing on the Anglo-Scottish geo-political relationship during the decade of 1580-1590, with its machinations and bizarre background stories, this book provides fresh social, political and foreign policy insight from the perspective of a gentleman spy who took part in some of the most important events of his time.Elizabethan Secret Agent will appeal to readers of historical biography, particularly those with an interest in espionage and Anglo-Scottish relations in the years leading up to the Act of Union. The author held two Top Secret security clearances during his career, so is in a unique position to write about his ancestor William Ashby, one of the original spies. Subjects covered Espionage, Secret Agents, Elizabethan Politics, Anglo-Scottish relationship 1580-90.

Timothy Ashby worked in Washington, D.C. as a counter-terrorism consultant to the US State Department, and a senior official at the US Commerce Department. He held two Top Secret security clearances and worked with a number of colorful characters, including members of the U.S. military's Joint Special Operations Command. Timothy Ashby worked in Washington, D.C. as a counter-terrorism consultant to the US State Department, and a senior official at the US Commerce Department. He held two Top Secret security clearances and worked with a number of colourful characters, including members of the U.S. military’ s Joint Special Operations Command.

CONTENTS List of Illustrations Introduction Prologue – ‘ the benefits conferred on us by our ancestors’ Part One – Early Life Chapter I - Education Chapter II - Exile Chapter III – Return to an unhappy land Part Two – On Her Majesty’ s Service Chapter IV – Walsingham’ s Intelligencer Chapter V – The Queen’ s vacillation Chapter VI – Low Countries reconnaissance operation Chapter VII - Purgatory in the Low Countries Chapter VIII – Brigands on the Rhine Part Three – Scotland Chapter IX - Anglo-Scottish animosity Chapter X – Walsingham’ s failed diplomatic mission Chapter XI - Universal miscontent in the country Chapter XII – The Armada cometh Chapter XIII – Ashby’ s ambassadorship to Scotland Chapter XIV – The approach of the Spaniards causes Ashby to make offers to the King Chapter XV – A necessary play of penitence Chapter XVI – ‘ ... the great ship was blown in the air’ Chapter XVII – Ashby reveals to James a plot against him by his own lairds Chapter XVIII - The lairds’ open insurrection Chapter XIX – Fowler’ s defamation of Ashby Chapter XX - Ashby tarries in Edinburgh while the King seeks his bride Chapter XXI – Vindication Chapter XXII – A last plot foiled before death’ s gloomy shade Appendix I - Sir Robert Naunton Appendix II - Dramatis Personae Bibliography Notes