A story of espionage and terrorism in 16th century England, and the world’s first secret service. This riveting BBC Two documentary reveals the story of the Cecils, the spymasters who ran the world’s first secret service. The end of the 16th century – England is a pariah state on the edge of a largely Catholic continent. For the protestant Queen Elizabeth I, the enemy is everywhere – the Pope has given licence to kill her. This legion of threats demands a shadowy new army. And so the age of espionage begins. This is the story of the Cecils, the spymasters who ran the world’s first secret service. Their counter-terrorist network reached into the very heart of the Catholic enemy, and they secured the Britain we know today.