William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
(1520 or 1521-1598), Lord High TreasurerSitter associated with 45 portraits
William Cecil served both Edward VI and Mary I but exercised most power when chief minister to their sister Elizabeth I. When she ascended to the throne, Elizabeth's first appointment was to make 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.
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Marshall
line engraving, published 1642
NPG D19050
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Marshall, after Magdalena de Passe, after Willem de Passe
line engraving, published 1642
NPG D21161
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Marshall, after Magdalena de Passe, after Willem de Passe
line engraving, published 1642
NPG D21162
Queen Elizabeth I; William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley; Sir Francis Walsingham
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1655
NPG D22722
Queen Elizabeth I; Sir Francis Walsingham; William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1655
NPG D31830
Queen Elizabeth I; Sir Francis Walsingham; William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1655
NPG D19080
Queen Elizabeth I; Sir Francis Walsingham; William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1655
NPG D21165
Queen Elizabeth I; William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley; Sir Francis Walsingham
by William Faithorne
line engraving, published 1691
NPG D21065
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D25106
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by John Goldar
line engraving, probably mid to late 18th century
NPG D25107
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly mid 18th century
NPG D25109
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably mid 18th century
NPG D25110
Hugh Latimer, John Jewl, Sir Nicholas Bacon, Sir Francis Walsingham, William Cecil
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly mid 18th century
NPG D25216
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Jacobus Houbraken, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D32414
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Jacobus Houbraken, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D32415
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D42896
A View of the Court of Wards and Liveries
by George Vertue
line engraving, published 1747
NPG D11100
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
published by Edward Evans, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, circa 1775-1800
NPG D20134
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by William Nelson Gardiner
stipple engraving, possibly early 19th century
NPG D25105
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
by R. Cooper
stipple engraving, probably early 19th century
NPG D25108
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