What Is the Origin of the Phrase “Never Trust a Cecil!”
Since Lord Burghley’s days, prominent Cecils have mastered the art of political intrigue. For example, Elizabeth Bowen asserts that “Never trust a Cecil!” is a piece of English wisdom. She cites a recent article in the Economist, in which a senior Liberal Democrat used the phrase.
The phrase “never trust a Cecil” has been around for centuries and is still widely known today. But unfortunately, the origin of this phrase has yet to be discovered; all we know is that it was first recorded in 1851, which leaves us to assume that the phrase had long been around before then.
But some people have made guesses on why this hateful saying might exist. One theory is that Cecils were the close advisor of Queen Elizabeth I and II, so anyone who took their advice would be labeled as a Cecil and therefore untrustworthy by default. Another theory says that Cecils are part of the Cecil family, who also happens to be a line of British politicians. Ergo, if you associate with someone from this family, you would be considered untrustworthy by association.
This famous saying is brought up in many popular films, including “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Princess Bride,” as well as books such as “The Hunger Games.”
This phrase can also be used as an insult when someone wants to threaten or insult another person without naming them directly. For example, “Never trust a man who wears pink shirts because he has been known to have a fetish for women’s underwear.”
Some people believe that this phrase derives solely from Queen Elizabeth I as a way to humiliate Cecils by their political affiliation and that there is nothing inherent in their appearance or history to make them untrustworthy. However, this theory is false as it has been documented that Queen Elizabeth I was known to have had five illegitimate children, and she took Cecil as a surname.
People have also interpreted this to mean that the person referred to as a Cecil is untrustworthy in their actions and words or merely “politically correct.” This could be true if the person referred to was in a position of power. A typical example is the former Prime Minister, who was called a “Cecil” due to his family’s influence in Westminster.
Robert Cecil was a Mighty King
In the play, ‘Equivocation’ by Bill Cain, Robert Cecil was an English resistance leader, a powerful man who may have been behind the Gunpowder Plot. It was first performed at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2009. The play suggests that Cecil was behind the Plot, but it does not prove this. Jonathan Haugen played Cecil in the play, and he was given a severe limp. Cecil is a man who knows everything in London and has a fear of tomorrow.
Cecil was worried about the marriage prospects of his Queen and the succession to the throne. He also took an interest in the other potential suitors for Elizabeth. According to the State Papers Online, he had talks with Charles and Anjou about marrying the Queen.
Cecil kept an army of informers for almost twenty years. These informers brought dishonor to the king and the kingdom. They also watched for characters that may threaten the king’s rule. Their work brought Cecil dishonor and made the king look silly. But, on the other hand, Cecil had ambition and pride in power, and his interests differed from those of the Queen.
As the Queen’s trusted secretary, Cecil enjoyed a high status. He lived lavishly but was also the poorest lord in England. Cecil was installed as a knight of the Garter on 25 February 1571 and was lord high treasurer in 1572. In the same year, he also became the Earl of Warwick.
He was Queen Elizabeth’s First Secretary of State
Cecil was the first secretary of state of the English monarchy and served Queen Elizabeth for thirty years. Cecil was also involved in local government and held various positions in the communities around his estates. He also built two great country houses: Burghley House in Lincolnshire and Theobalds in Hertfordshire. These homes were designed in an innovative style and often hosted royal visits. In addition, Cecil had a wide range of interests, including cartography, astronomy, and military science.
He was not a religious zealot and sided with the Huguenots and Dutch. However, he favored a more determined intervention on behalf of continental Protestants but left little to no evidence of his recommendations. He also left endless memoranda laying out the pros and cons of various decisions, with few indications of what they recommended.
Cecil began his career as a junior secretary to Edward VI. Cecil shared the latter’s iconoclasm and idealistic social tendencies. However, during this time, Cecil established himself as an able bureaucrat and moderated his religious reform stance. After the death of Queen Mary in 1591, Cecil became Queen Elizabeth’s sole secretary.
Cecil married Mildred Cooke in 1545, forming meaningful political connections through her family. His father, Sir Anthony Cooke, had served in Henry VIII’s court and was appointed tutor to Edward VI. His daughter, Anne Cooke, married Sir Nicholas Bacon, keeper of the great seal. She was the mother of the philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626).
He was a Spy
Since Lord Burghley’s days, prominent Cecils have shown their shady side in politics. A piece of English wisdom warns you never to trust a Cecil! A senior Liberal Democrat recently used that phrase in a speech in the House of Lords.
Cecil is no different. Nolan’s secret is out, and he’s about to get it. In a nutshell, he’s a spy. His job is to sabotage the Guardians. Cecil is an agent of the Shadow Council. He’s one of the most dangerous men in the world, and the future is in his hands. Cecil knows this.
The Cecil Hotel has a long history of paranormal activity. For example, in June 1984, Richard Ramirez, a notorious serial killer, stayed in the Cecil Hotel. He’d committed 13 murders and five attempted murders while staying there. His victims were teenagers, and he was found guilty of all of them. Sadly, he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Cecil Hotel also inspires the Coen Brothers’ 1991 film Barton Fink.
He was a Peace Activist
The phrase ‘Never trust a Cecil!’ has been used in political intrigue by prominent Cecils ever since Lord Burghley’s reign. Elizabeth Bowen, a senior Liberal Democrat, says she recently heard Cecil use the phrase in a speech to the House of Lords.
Cecil was a peace activist and politician. He was born into an aristocratic family and studied law at Oxford. In 1906, Cecil was elected to Parliament as a Conservative. He later served as Minister of Blockade during World War I. He also played an essential role in the rules of the League of Nations at the peace conference in Versailles. Later, he helped to establish the League of Nations Union, which eventually became Britain’s most potent extra-parliamentary pressure group.
Cecil’s actions were a concern to the monarch. He was concerned about the marriage prospects of the Queen and the royal succession. He wrote bluntly about the Earl of Leicester as a possible candidate for the Queen’s hand. He also took an interest in other potential suitors for Elizabeth. According to State Papers Online, he was involved in negotiations with Charles and Anjou regarding the marriage of Elizabeth.
Despite this controversy, the film portrays the remarkable life of Eugene Allen. He was raised on a Virginia plantation and eventually became a butler. He later served as an investigator in the State Department. He also confronted President Nixon over the Vietnam War.
He was a Politician
Cecil was a political figure and diplomat of the twentieth century. His public life was almost entirely devoted to the League of Nations, serving as Britain’s representative at the 1923 Paris Peace Conference and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Cecil spent much of his time explaining the League to American audiences. Although he was not elected to the throne, Cecil made significant contributions to international affairs.
Cecil was one of the most influential politicians of the twentieth century. His views spanned the most critical issues of international affairs, from the disarmament movement to the beginnings of the Cold War. His advocacy for peace and European integration earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1937. While his public career is often criticized for its failure, his contributions are crucial in advancing the world system.
Cecil joined the British government when World War I broke out. He was too old to join the military but volunteered for the Red Cross. His commitment to pacifism and deep religious convictions made him a valuable member of the Red Cross. He later rose through the ranks to become a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and was promoted to Assistant Secretary in 1918-19. He also served as Minister of Blockade from 1916 to 1918.
The TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for digital and home delivery subscribers. Unlike traditional newspapers, TimesMachine provides a digitized version of an archived article. It preserves the original meaning of the publication, and the newspaper does not edit it. It is constantly evolving and improving.
He was a Diplomat
It’s no secret that Cecils are a notorious political player. Their family has a history of prominent involvement in politics, beginning with the Earl of Burghley. Cecil is best known for his blunt criticism of the Earl of Leicester, who Cecil once said: “is an idiot and should be avoided like the plague.” Cecil also took an interest in other potential suitors for Queen Elizabeth. According to the State Papers Online, Cecil held negotiations with Charles and Anjou.
Cecil was one of the most influential people in Elizabethan times, but he betrayed the Queen and King. His disloyalty made the Queen and King look foolish. The earls were Catholic, and the Elizabethan monarch was worried about a possible uprising. So he wanted to bring them before the Privy Council to determine their loyalties.
Cecil’s parents divorced when he was four. His father left him with money in a trust. He joined the British Navy at 17 and became a signalman. He then left England and returned to the United States to attend Harvard, graduating ahead of his class. He then joined Chase National Bank, rising through the ranks to become an officer in their foreign department. Eventually, Cecil became a banker and moved his wife and baby to the nation’s capital.
Cecil Rhodes was the son of the second Earl of Essex and followed in his father’s footsteps. His father’s policies were anti-Puritan, anti-Roman Catholic, and anti-Spanish. In addition, Cecil supported the Dutch rebellion against Spain. By 1609, Cecil allied his nation with France when the monarchy agreed to a 12-year truce with Spain. Cecil made sure that Spain did not violate the agreement.
What Is the Origin of the Phrase “Never Trust a Cecil!”
Since Lord Burghley’s days, prominent Cecils have mastered the art of political intrigue. For example, Elizabeth Bowen asserts that “Never trust a Cecil!” is a piece of English wisdom. She cites a recent article in the Economist, in which a senior Liberal Democrat used the phrase.
The phrase “never trust a Cecil” has been around for centuries and is still widely known today. But unfortunately, the origin of this phrase has yet to be discovered; all we know is that it was first recorded in 1851, which leaves us to assume that the phrase had long been around before then.
But some people have made guesses on why this hateful saying might exist. One theory is that Cecils were the close advisor of Queen Elizabeth I and II, so anyone who took their advice would be labeled as a Cecil and therefore untrustworthy by default. Another theory says that Cecils are part of the Cecil family, who also happens to be a line of British politicians. Ergo, if you associate with someone from this family, you would be considered untrustworthy by association.
This famous saying is brought up in many popular films, including “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Princess Bride,” as well as books such as “The Hunger Games.”
This phrase can also be used as an insult when someone wants to threaten or insult another person without naming them directly. For example, “Never trust a man who wears pink shirts because he has been known to have a fetish for women’s underwear.”
Some people believe that this phrase derives solely from Queen Elizabeth I as a way to humiliate Cecils by their political affiliation and that there is nothing inherent in their appearance or history to make them untrustworthy. However, this theory is false as it has been documented that Queen Elizabeth I was known to have had five illegitimate children, and she took Cecil as a surname.
People have also interpreted this to mean that the person referred to as a Cecil is untrustworthy in their actions and words or merely “politically correct.” This could be true if the person referred to was in a position of power. A typical example is the former Prime Minister, who was called a “Cecil” due to his family’s influence in Westminster.
Robert Cecil was a Mighty King
In the play, ‘Equivocation’ by Bill Cain, Robert Cecil was an English resistance leader, a powerful man who may have been behind the Gunpowder Plot. It was first performed at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2009. The play suggests that Cecil was behind the Plot, but it does not prove this. Jonathan Haugen played Cecil in the play, and he was given a severe limp. Cecil is a man who knows everything in London and has a fear of tomorrow.
Cecil was worried about the marriage prospects of his Queen and the succession to the throne. He also took an interest in the other potential suitors for Elizabeth. According to the State Papers Online, he had talks with Charles and Anjou about marrying the Queen.
Cecil kept an army of informers for almost twenty years. These informers brought dishonor to the king and the kingdom. They also watched for characters that may threaten the king’s rule. Their work brought Cecil dishonor and made the king look silly. But, on the other hand, Cecil had ambition and pride in power, and his interests differed from those of the Queen.
As the Queen’s trusted secretary, Cecil enjoyed a high status. He lived lavishly but was also the poorest lord in England. Cecil was installed as a knight of the Garter on 25 February 1571 and was lord high treasurer in 1572. In the same year, he also became the Earl of Warwick.
He was Queen Elizabeth’s First Secretary of State
Cecil was the first secretary of state of the English monarchy and served Queen Elizabeth for thirty years. Cecil was also involved in local government and held various positions in the communities around his estates. He also built two great country houses: Burghley House in Lincolnshire and Theobalds in Hertfordshire. These homes were designed in an innovative style and often hosted royal visits. In addition, Cecil had a wide range of interests, including cartography, astronomy, and military science.
He was not a religious zealot and sided with the Huguenots and Dutch. However, he favored a more determined intervention on behalf of continental Protestants but left little to no evidence of his recommendations. He also left endless memoranda laying out the pros and cons of various decisions, with few indications of what they recommended.
Cecil began his career as a junior secretary to Edward VI. Cecil shared the latter’s iconoclasm and idealistic social tendencies. However, during this time, Cecil established himself as an able bureaucrat and moderated his religious reform stance. After the death of Queen Mary in 1591, Cecil became Queen Elizabeth’s sole secretary.
Cecil married Mildred Cooke in 1545, forming meaningful political connections through her family. His father, Sir Anthony Cooke, had served in Henry VIII’s court and was appointed tutor to Edward VI. His daughter, Anne Cooke, married Sir Nicholas Bacon, keeper of the great seal. She was the mother of the philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626).
He was a Spy
Since Lord Burghley’s days, prominent Cecils have shown their shady side in politics. A piece of English wisdom warns you never to trust a Cecil! A senior Liberal Democrat recently used that phrase in a speech in the House of Lords.
Cecil is no different. Nolan’s secret is out, and he’s about to get it. In a nutshell, he’s a spy. His job is to sabotage the Guardians. Cecil is an agent of the Shadow Council. He’s one of the most dangerous men in the world, and the future is in his hands. Cecil knows this.
The Cecil Hotel has a long history of paranormal activity. For example, in June 1984, Richard Ramirez, a notorious serial killer, stayed in the Cecil Hotel. He’d committed 13 murders and five attempted murders while staying there. His victims were teenagers, and he was found guilty of all of them. Sadly, he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Cecil Hotel also inspires the Coen Brothers’ 1991 film Barton Fink.
He was a Peace Activist
The phrase ‘Never trust a Cecil!’ has been used in political intrigue by prominent Cecils ever since Lord Burghley’s reign. Elizabeth Bowen, a senior Liberal Democrat, says she recently heard Cecil use the phrase in a speech to the House of Lords.
Cecil was a peace activist and politician. He was born into an aristocratic family and studied law at Oxford. In 1906, Cecil was elected to Parliament as a Conservative. He later served as Minister of Blockade during World War I. He also played an essential role in the rules of the League of Nations at the peace conference in Versailles. Later, he helped to establish the League of Nations Union, which eventually became Britain’s most potent extra-parliamentary pressure group.
Cecil’s actions were a concern to the monarch. He was concerned about the marriage prospects of the Queen and the royal succession. He wrote bluntly about the Earl of Leicester as a possible candidate for the Queen’s hand. He also took an interest in other potential suitors for Elizabeth. According to State Papers Online, he was involved in negotiations with Charles and Anjou regarding the marriage of Elizabeth.
Despite this controversy, the film portrays the remarkable life of Eugene Allen. He was raised on a Virginia plantation and eventually became a butler. He later served as an investigator in the State Department. He also confronted President Nixon over the Vietnam War.
He was a Politician
Cecil was a political figure and diplomat of the twentieth century. His public life was almost entirely devoted to the League of Nations, serving as Britain’s representative at the 1923 Paris Peace Conference and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Cecil spent much of his time explaining the League to American audiences. Although he was not elected to the throne, Cecil made significant contributions to international affairs.
Cecil was one of the most influential politicians of the twentieth century. His views spanned the most critical issues of international affairs, from the disarmament movement to the beginnings of the Cold War. His advocacy for peace and European integration earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1937. While his public career is often criticized for its failure, his contributions are crucial in advancing the world system.
Cecil joined the British government when World War I broke out. He was too old to join the military but volunteered for the Red Cross. His commitment to pacifism and deep religious convictions made him a valuable member of the Red Cross. He later rose through the ranks to become a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and was promoted to Assistant Secretary in 1918-19. He also served as Minister of Blockade from 1916 to 1918.
The TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for digital and home delivery subscribers. Unlike traditional newspapers, TimesMachine provides a digitized version of an archived article. It preserves the original meaning of the publication, and the newspaper does not edit it. It is constantly evolving and improving.
He was a Diplomat
It’s no secret that Cecils are a notorious political player. Their family has a history of prominent involvement in politics, beginning with the Earl of Burghley. Cecil is best known for his blunt criticism of the Earl of Leicester, who Cecil once said: “is an idiot and should be avoided like the plague.” Cecil also took an interest in other potential suitors for Queen Elizabeth. According to the State Papers Online, Cecil held negotiations with Charles and Anjou.
Cecil was one of the most influential people in Elizabethan times, but he betrayed the Queen and King. His disloyalty made the Queen and King look foolish. The earls were Catholic, and the Elizabethan monarch was worried about a possible uprising. So he wanted to bring them before the Privy Council to determine their loyalties.
Cecil’s parents divorced when he was four. His father left him with money in a trust. He joined the British Navy at 17 and became a signalman. He then left England and returned to the United States to attend Harvard, graduating ahead of his class. He then joined Chase National Bank, rising through the ranks to become an officer in their foreign department. Eventually, Cecil became a banker and moved his wife and baby to the nation’s capital.
Cecil Rhodes was the son of the second Earl of Essex and followed in his father’s footsteps. His father’s policies were anti-Puritan, anti-Roman Catholic, and anti-Spanish. In addition, Cecil supported the Dutch rebellion against Spain. By 1609, Cecil allied his nation with France when the monarchy agreed to a 12-year truce with Spain. Cecil made sure that Spain did not violate the agreement.