He’s not so well known in the US, but one of the historical figures I’ve looked up to is Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth I’s Secretary of State and her chief advisor.  Elizabeth’s reign is considered one of the greatest in British history but it wasn’t so clear that it would be that way when she ascended to the throne.  The daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, she wasn’t even supposed to be the queen.  Her kingdom was initially fractured, financially insecure, and under threat of invasion by quite a few powers.

But she was a player.

She took a mixed to weak hand and set up England to be a world power.  Absolutely astute and savvy, she was the OG Daenerys Targaryen.  And she had dragons of her own – she knew talent and how to harness it. Unlike so many of the insecure arrogant assclowns I’ve known.

Walsingham was a major part of her success.

Playing the role of mentor and advisor, he guided her faithfully and loyally for his entire career.  He died poor, having dedicated service to Queen and Country.  He taught her how to ward off enemies – external and internal.  Saved her life with his work.  He also is considered the father of MI6 – he was the original M and had his double 0s everywhere.  

A key scene in the Godfather is when Michael Corleone limits the role and scope of Tom Hagen, his consigliere and adopted brother.   Tom is not a wartime consigliere and it shows in his mediocre service to the Family.  Michael dismisses him and says that his father, the now retired Vito, is the best consigliere he’ll ever need.

Possibly one of my favorite scenes in all film is when Vito has one last conversation with Michael.  They discuss the past, present, and future.  It is insightful and incisive. Vito nails everything perfectly with his observations and predictions.  This is the type of conversation I yearned for with many but rarely got it.

But I can do it with my kids.  One of the names considered for my daughter was Elizabeth, after the great queen.  I envisioned advising her like Walsingham and Vito.  

And so I will.

This life was filled with painful lessons but this is one of the purposes.  I hated it when people called my daughter a princess.

She is a queen.