Sometimes history places the best people in the right places and at the right time. Such was the case with William Cecil and his role in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Elizabeth came to the throne during a tumultuous time in English history, and was herself a controversial figure. Key to her success was a wise and cautious advisor. She had that in the person of William Cecil. Cecil, whom Elizabeth created Lord Burleigh, was born to a family of the merchant class. His grandfather, according to contemporary accounts, "kept the best inn" in Stamford. At some point, that same grandfather, David, attracted the attention of Henry VII, and served that king in the capacity of yeoman of the guard.

Upon Henry VIII's accession to the throne, David Cecil was named serjeant-at-arms and sheriff of Northamptonsihre, as well as a justice of the peace. His eldest son married Jane Heckington and was father to three daughters and William Cecil.

Being the family's only son, William was sent to school and provided an excellent education. Indeed, he was quite taken with academics, even to the point of favoring educated women as spouses.

During his time at Cambridge he was fortunate to receive tutelage from two of the greatest intellects of the time, Roger Ascham and John Cheke. While studying with Cheke he fell in love with his instructor's sister and married her without his father's permission. The couple had one child, Thomas, who later became the Earl of Exeter. One year later, Mary Cheke Cecil died. After three years William married a second time, also to an educated woman, Mildred. She was regarded along with Lady Jane Grey as one of the most learned women in England. Her sister, Anne, was the mother of Sir Francis Bacon.

Favoring the new faith, Cecil sought to keep the Catholic Mary Tudor off the throne and was involved in the Lady Jane Grey affair. However, he emerged unscathed and played the part of a dutiful Catholic during Mary's reign. However, he was secretly communicating with Elizabeth. From the time she ascended the throne she turned to Cecil for advice. He was especially valuable because life experience had taught him well to make only carefully calculated risks, and that to not risk at all is the best course. This was precisely the type of advice Elizabeth needed, especially during the early years of her reign.

He was also a hardliner with regard to religious tolerance. He did not believe two or more faiths could exist peacefully within the kingdom, and sanctioned the persecution of Catholics and dissident Protestants. He was equally virtuous in his personal life. He was a devoted husband and father, and continued his love and interest of books and antiquarian activities. He was particularly fond of genealogy and heraldry, and enjoyed researching and establishing his own family history.