posted 05-07-2006 11:00 AM            

Another double-agent, Thomas Philips, who was inside the prison, told Mary how she would be receiving letters in her beer barrel. However, before they were placed inside the beer barrel, they were read by Walsingham. More importantly, Francis Walsingham was also able to read the letters that Mary sent to her Catholic friends in France and Spain. In these letters Mary explained how she wanted France and Spain to help her become queen by invading England.

posted 06-03-2006 04:44 PM            

You might have a look at "The Name of the Rose,"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091605/

based on Umberto Eco's book, and set in 1327. The characters are more detectives than spies, but perhaps in the book things are a little less clear cut. The abbot says William is good at uncovering things, and if necessary, in covering things up. It is a classic, and at the very least, is a good excuse to see Sean Connery with a shaved head... and Christian Slater as a little boy.

Also based on a book is "The Reckoning"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258816/

The book is "Morality Play," by Barry Unsworthy. set in 1380, and also apparently based on a book, it includes the "King's Justice" going about in a secretive manner, and a plot to assasinate the king. I've been told that the book goes into a lot more detail. Both are rather dark, sinister, and possibly homophobic.

"Timeline,"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0300556/

and it's book version by Chrichton set in 1357 includes some people accused of spying, a woman spy, and a man from the future who sets himself up as a medieval soldier. The acts of subterfuge aren't a major issue in the film or book though. The movie was a critical failure, and the acting isn't that great, but all in all it really isn't that hard to watch, especially if you like siege engines. The book is better, but suffers from all the typical drawbacks of any book written by Michael Crichton: Extensive technical details, 300 pages of action-packed excitement followed by 130 pages of random bizarre happenings, and an ending which resolves none of the issues that were brought up in the rest of the book.

Moving into the realms of ridiculous, "The Black Knight,"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0265087/

supposedly set in 1328 prominently features rebel spies, a plot to kill the entirely fictional "King Leo," and a queen in hiding. There is also a black man from the future, who must masquerade as a messenger from Normandy. I don't reccomend actually watching this movie unless you have a large supply of alcohol and painkillers on hand... or a thirteen year old boy's sense of humor. Thankfully, to my knowledge, no book was made to go along with this travesty.