Spy in Chancery

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Perhaps the English can be excused if they believe that having double agents high in their government is only a phenomenon of the twentieth-century. Scandals regarding Philby, Burgess and Maclean, however, have their echoes in the treason of Thomas Tuberville, who was successfully managed by the French and was able to send information to them about the secret plans of the English king. We do know that Tuberville sent letters to the French – one is actually still extant in the Record Office in Chancery Lane, London. We also know that he was in treasonable correspondence with the Welsh rebel, Lord Morgan and aided Philip in building up his great alliance against Edward who was forced to accept the French King's terms.

The details of Tuberville's capture are shrouded in mystery but it was only achieved after a great deal of careful plotting and intrigue. He was captured and his treason exposed but not before he had caused terrible damage to the King's cause in Europe. However, unlike modern spies, Tuberville, rightly or wrongly, paid for his treason with his life.