Cromwell's Spymaster
John Thurloe Became Head of Intelligence in the Protectorate
Through his network of spies and control of the Post Office, John Thurloe thwarted numerous attempts on Cromwell's life.
Born into a clergyman’s family in Essex in 1616, this highly intelligent and shrewd man rose to become Secretary to Council in Cromwell’s government in 1652. A year later he went on to head the intelligence service and then subsequently took control of the post office.
Thurloe formed a network of spies and informers in Britain and abroad and this, together with his access to the mail, enabled him to keep tabs on Cromwell’s many enemies.
Plots
The threats to Cromwell’s life came mainly from two sources, each at opposite ends of the political spectrum. The Sealed Knot was made up of Royalists whose aim was to destroy the Protectorate and bring Prince Charles to the throne.
The most well known of the Royalist plots, the Penruddock rising, never really became a threat. Thanks to his spies in the Royalist ranks, Thurloe followed the plot as it developed, the ring leaders were eventually caught and executed.
The Levellers, who pressed for a more egalitarian society, wanted the vote for all men (needless to say, not women). They felt betrayed and disappointed by Cromwell as he took on the trappings of royalty. Both Levellers and Royalists seemed to have been pretty disorganised and lacked effective leadership. However despite this they managed a number of attempts on the Protector’s life. Fortunately for Cromwell Thurloe was much more efficient than the plotters, keeping one step ahead through infiltration and interception.
Despite the dangers, Cromwell would not forego his daily walk through the park. This must have caused Thurloe considerable anxiety. Would be assassins were well aware of the Protector’s habit and a plot was hatched kill him on his walk. The plot failed, probably one of the few failures not due to Thurloe's skills. The getaway horse (it had to be a very fast one) caught a cold and so the attempt was abandoned.
The Near Fatal Accident
Ironically Thurloe almost brought about his master’s death. Cromwell was driving a coach, anxious to try out some horses he had been given, through Hyde Park. Thurloe was sitting next to Cromwell, presumably as body guard since he carried a loaded pistol in his pocket.
At some point Cromwell fell, his foot caught in the reins, and was then dragged along by the galloping horses. Thurloe also fell, in doing so his pistol went off, narrowly missing Cromwell.
The Restoration
Thurloe survived Cromwell and most of the servants of the Protectorate. The fate that befell many of them was being tortured to death. The usual way of doing this to traitors, and of course the Royalists saw these people as traitors, was to be hanged, drawn and quartered.
Thurloe was arrested for treason but was never tried. Some of Charles II’s new ministers clearly realised Thurloe’s worth: his experience in intelligence and his contacts abroad could help protect the Monarchy as much as it did Cromwell’s Protectorate.
Although never a member of the King’s government he continued to provide advice to ministers until his death in 1668.
Reference
Cromwell,Our Chief of Men by Antonia Fraser, Mandarin 1973
