Emeritus Professor 

Personal statement 

Marshall’s current research in progress focuses chiefly on intelligence and espionage in the early modern era and relates to the study of how the principles behind arcana imperii (or secrets of state) permeated early-modern government to form the ancestor of the modern ‘secret state’. The study is interdisciplinary, referencing history and philosophy, literature and culture. The study will work towards ascertaining the reasoning behind early-modern intelligence and espionage activities rather than take the traditional approach of studying covert practices. The project will seek to inform our understanding of the modern secret state; a question of considerable contemporary debate and importance given the post-Assange/Snowden world in which we live.

Impact elements of this study for REF 2020 will thus be to engage scholars and students in history, philosophy, politics and culture, as well as the general public and it will provide an historical context to the current public debate about the legitimacy of the secret state. In addition his teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate level has been extensive. He has designed and delivered high-quality, peer-reviewed, popular early-modern British and Irish History modules, as well as a very popular level 6 module: ‘Secret Service’.

In addition, Marshall has considerable experience in learning and teaching engagement at developmental and administrative levels in theoretical and in teaching practice, this includes chairing numerous periodic and external reviews.

Academic qualifications

  • PhD - University of Lancaster
    • Dissertation: Sir Joseph Williamson and the Restoration Government Intelligence System, 1660-1680. Supervised by Professor G. Holmes, University of Lancaster and Professor J.S. Morrill, Selwyn College, Cambridge. British Academy Funded (1988) 
  • MA, Historical Research - University of Lancaster. British Academy Funded (1985)
  • BA (Hons) - Sunderland Polytechnic (1984)

Professional qualifications

  •  Scouloudi History Research Fellow, Institute of Historical Research, University of London, 1985.

Current scholarship

Articles

  • 'The Armies Teares for Major Bethel'
  • '"Arcana Imperii' the Cromwellian Intelligence system'
  • 'Thomas Scot and the Rump Parliament's secret intelligence system'
  • 'Central Finance and Covert intelligence 1649-1660' 

Conference presentations

  • 'Oliver Cromwell, protector, and the art of arcana imperii', News, Secrecy and Foreign Policy in early modern England, April 2015.

Professional memberships

  • 2016- present: Member of the BSU Making Books: Creativity, Print Culture, and the Digital Research Centre
  • 2009-2015: Member of the BSU Centre for History & Culture: the Urban Experience
  • 2004- present: Research Associate, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
  • 2000 –present: Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
  • 2001 –present: Member of the North-East England History Institute
  • 1997 –present: Member the Cromwell Association.

External examiners

I have acted as an external examiner for various higher degrees, including:

  • English Department, Bath Spa University (2011)
  • History Department, University of Swansea (DPhil 2005)
  • History Department, Royal Holloway University of London (DPhil 2006).

Other external roles

Media contributions

  • ‘Why study Cromwell?’, Cromwell Association website (June 2017)
  • Contributor and historical adviser ‘Batter My Heart: the case of John Jones, colonel to Oliver Cromwell” (Tyfish Films 2015)
  • National Geographic Channel/ True North Productions: ‘Bloody Tales: The Highwayman James Hind’ (2013)
  • BBC News Website magazine story consultant on the Regicides in 1662 (2012)
  • The Secretaries Office and the Public Records'; 'Stuart Government 1660-1714' Essays written for international commercial web project organised by Gale, Cengage Learning EMEA: ‘The State Papers Online, 1509-1714. Part III: The Stuarts, James I to Anne: State Papers Domestic’ (2010)
  • BBC Wales:’ Wales and the Popish Plot’ (2009)
  • History Channel TV programme: 'The Conquerors: Oliver Cromwell'(2005)
  • Channel 4/Flame TV series: 'Crime Team (2002), re-broadcast nationally and internationally since first screening.

External consultancy roles

  • External Consultant for Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowships 2010-2011
  • External consultant/ referee for ESRC applications 2008
  • Editorial Panel Member for a textbook Introduction to Historiography for Pearson Education, 2006-2010
  • Facilitator of the 'History and Culture' lecture series at Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution 2006-2009.

Teaching specialisms

  • Early-modern intelligence and espionage
  • Cultural, literary and political history of the long seventeenth-century
  • Early-modern military history
  • The history of the North East of England in the nineteenth century. 

Research supervision

Marshall is interested in supervising students in early-modern political, cultural, and literary history; intelligence and espionage and the history of North-East England.

Research and academic outputs

Go to ResearchSPAce

Intelligence and espionage in the English Republic c. 1600-60
book

Marshall, A (2023) Intelligence and espionage in the English Republic c. 1600-60. Manchester University Press, Manchester. ISBN 9781526118899

The Death of Nicholas Fairles: law and community in South Shields, 1832
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Marshall, A (2009) The Death of Nicholas Fairles: law and community in South Shields, 1832. Papers in North East History . NEEHI/Teeside University, Middlesbrough. ISBN 0954506464

Oliver Cromwell: soldier - the military life of a revolutionary at war
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Marshall, A (2004) Oliver Cromwell: soldier - the military life of a revolutionary at war. Brassey's, London. ISBN 9781857533439

Intelligence and espionage in the reign of Charles II, 1660–1685
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Marshall, A (2003) Intelligence and espionage in the reign of Charles II, 1660–1685. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. ISBN 9780521521277

Sir Samuel Morland and Stuart espionage
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Marshall, A (2003) Sir Samuel Morland and Stuart espionage. Friends of King Charles the Martyr Church, Tunbridge Wells.

The strange death of Edmund Godfrey: plots and politics in Restoration London
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Marshall, A (1999) The strange death of Edmund Godfrey: plots and politics in Restoration London. Sutton Publishing, Stroud. ISBN 9780750921008

The age of faction: court politics, 1660-1702
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Marshall, A (1999) The age of faction: court politics, 1660-1702. New Frontiers in History . Manchester University Press, Manchester. ISBN 9780719049743

Irish encounters: poetry, politics and prose since 1880
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Marshall, A and Sammells, N (1998) Irish encounters: poetry, politics and prose since 1880. Sulis, Bath. ISBN 9780952685647

"Halt! Halt!" Oliver Cromwell, Hugh O’Neill and the Siege of Clonmel, April–May 1650
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Marshall, A (2021) '"Halt! Halt!" Oliver Cromwell, Hugh O’Neill and the Siege of Clonmel, April–May 1650.' In: Bennett, M, Gillespie, R and Spurlock, R.S, eds. Cromwell and Ireland: new perspectives. Liverpool University Press, Liverpool, pp. 75-110. ISBN 9781789622379

‘Secret wheeles’: clandestine information, espionage, and European intelligence
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Marshall, A (2020) '‘Secret wheeles’: clandestine information, espionage, and European intelligence.' In: Ebben, M.A and Sicking, L, eds. Beyond ambassadors: consuls, missionaries and spies in premodern diplomacy. Brill, Leiden. ISBN 9789004438842

‘Faisons meieux’: Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington and his political tactics
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Marshall, A (2020) '‘Faisons meieux’: Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington and his political tactics.' In: Eagles, R and Dennehy, C.A, eds. Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington, and his world: Restoration court, politics and diplomacy. Routledge, Abingdon. ISBN 9780367513108

'Plots' and dissent: the abortive Northern rebellion of 1663
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Marshall, A (2018) ''Plots' and dissent: the abortive Northern rebellion of 1663.' In: Clare, J, ed. From republic to Restoration: legacies and departures. Manchester University Press, Manchester, pp. 85-101. ISBN 9780719089688

Elizabeth Cromwell and Mary Hays
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Marshall, A (2017) 'Elizabeth Cromwell and Mary Hays.' In: Walker, G.L, ed. The invention of female biography. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 218-240. ISBN 9781848936003

Pax quaeritur bello The Cromwellian Military Legacy
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Marshall, A (2012) 'Pax quaeritur bello The Cromwellian Military Legacy.' In: Mills, J, ed. Cromwell's Legacy. Manchester University Press, Manchester. ISBN 9780719080890

'Mechanic Tyrannie': Anthony Ashley Cooper and the English Republic
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Marshall, A (2011) ''Mechanic Tyrannie': Anthony Ashley Cooper and the English Republic.' In: Spurr, J, ed. Anthony Ashley Cooper, First Earl of Shaftesbury 1621-1683. Ashgate, Farnham, pp. 27-50. ISBN 9780754661719

'Woeful knight': Sir Robert Walsh and the fragmented world of the double agent
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Marshall, A (2010) ''Woeful knight': Sir Robert Walsh and the fragmented world of the double agent.' In: Szechi, D, ed. The dangerous trade: spies, spymasters and the making of Europe. Dundee University Press, Dundee. ISBN 9781845860608

Foreword
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Marshall, A (2009) 'Foreword.' In: Jones, C, ed. British politics in the age of Holmes: Geoffrey Holmes's "British Politics in the age of Anne" 40 years on. Parliamentary History: Texts & Studies . Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 9781405193344

"The Rye House Plotters" and "Sir Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington" and "Sir Joseph Williamson" and "Titus Oates" and "Thomas Blood" and "Sir Samuel Morland" and "William Bridgman" and "Thomas Dangerfield"
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Marshall, A (2004) '"The Rye House Plotters" and "Sir Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington" and "Sir Joseph Williamson" and "Titus Oates" and "Thomas Blood" and "Sir Samuel Morland" and "William Bridgman" and "Thomas Dangerfield".' In: Oxford dictionary of national biography. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 9780198614111

Anglo Dutch Wars, 1652-1674
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Marshall, A (2001) 'Anglo Dutch Wars, 1652-1674.' In: Messenger, C, ed. Reader's guide to military history. Routledge, London. ISBN 9781579582418

Spycraft and the Glorious Revolution
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Marshall, A (2024) 'Spycraft and the Glorious Revolution.' History Today, 74 (4). pp. 28-39. ISSN 0018-2753

Robert Harley as Secretary of State and his intelligence work: 1702-1708
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Marshall, A (2023) 'Robert Harley as Secretary of State and his intelligence work: 1702-1708.' History. ISSN 0018-2648

“Memorialls for Mrs Affora”: Aphra Behn and the Restoration intelligence world
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Marshall, A (2015) '“Memorialls for Mrs Affora”: Aphra Behn and the Restoration intelligence world.' Women's Writing, 22 (1). pp. 13-33. ISSN 1747-5848

Killing no murder
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Marshall, A (2003) 'Killing no murder.' History Today, 53 (2). pp. 20-25. ISSN 0018-2753

The Westminster magistrate and the Irish stroker: Sir Edmund Godfrey and Valentine Greatrakes, some unpublished correspondence
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Marshall, A (1997) 'The Westminster magistrate and the Irish stroker: Sir Edmund Godfrey and Valentine Greatrakes, some unpublished correspondence.' The Historical Journal, 40 (2). pp. 499-505. ISSN 0018-246X

To make a martyr: the Popish Plot and Protestant propaganda
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Marshall, A (1997) 'To make a martyr: the Popish Plot and Protestant propaganda.' History Today, 47 (3). pp. 39-50. ISSN 0018-2753

Sir Joseph Williamson and the conduct of administration in Restoration England
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Marshall, A (1996) 'Sir Joseph Williamson and the conduct of administration in Restoration England.' Historical Research, 69 (168). pp. 18-41. ISSN 1468-2281

Irish spies and plotters in seventeenth‐century Europe
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Marshall, A (1994) 'Irish spies and plotters in seventeenth‐century Europe.' Irish Studies Review, 3 (9). pp. 7-12. ISSN 1469-9303

Irish spies and plotters in early modern Europe
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Marshall, A (1994) 'Irish spies and plotters in early modern Europe.' Irish Studies Review, 3 (9). pp. 7-12. ISSN 1469-9303

Colonel Thomas Blood and the Restoration political scene
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Marshall, A (1989) 'Colonel Thomas Blood and the Restoration political scene.' The Historical Journal, 32 (3). pp. 561-582. ISSN 1469-5103

Intelligence, espionage and the Cromwellian Protectorate
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Marshall, A (2021) Intelligence, espionage and the Cromwellian Protectorate. In: Cromwell Museum Autumn Lecture Series, 3 November 2021, Huntingdon, UK [online].

Oliver Cromwell and the secret arts of government: intelligence and espionage in the early modern state
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Marshall, A (2021) Oliver Cromwell and the secret arts of government: intelligence and espionage in the early modern state. In: Historical Association: Hampstead & North West London Branch Programme, 15 April 2021, Fellowship House, London [online].

Oliver Cromwell and the secret arts of government
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Marshall, A (2020) Oliver Cromwell and the secret arts of government. In: Public Lecture Series, 19 March 2020, Hampstead & North West Branch of the Historical Association.

Thomas Hobbes and secrecy
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Marshall, A (2019) Thomas Hobbes and secrecy. In: Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury Society Lecture, 29 November 2019, Malmesbury, UK.

'The Armies teares over Major Bethel': Hugh Peter, poetry and the New Model Army
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Marshall, A (2019) 'The Armies teares over Major Bethel': Hugh Peter, poetry and the New Model Army. In: Liverpool Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies - Public Seminar Series, 9 May 2019, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.

Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington: a Restoration politician and Parliament
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Marshall, A (2019) Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington: a Restoration politician and Parliament. In: IHR Seminars: Parliaments, Politics and People, 5 March 2019, Senate House, London, UK.

Bowing in the House of Rimmon : Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington and his political tactics in the CABAL 1666-1673
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Marshall, A (2016) Bowing in the House of Rimmon : Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington and his political tactics in the CABAL 1666-1673. In: Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington and His World c.1640-1685, 18 - 19 November 2016, UCL, London, UK.

The Great Fire, 1666, and the conspiracy mentalitiè in Restoration England
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Marshall, A (2016) The Great Fire, 1666, and the conspiracy mentalitiè in Restoration England. In: The Great Fire: Reconsidered, 3 September 2016, St Paul’s Cathedral, London, UK.

'Sinful temptations': an English Republican politician’s reputation and the culture of sexual and political satire in the early 1650s.
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Marshall, A (2016) 'Sinful temptations': an English Republican politician’s reputation and the culture of sexual and political satire in the early 1650s. In: The People All Changed: Religion and Society in Britain in the 1650s, 15 - 16 July 2016, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.

‘Bob tayl’d Scot’: a Republican politician’s personal reputation in the culture of sexual and political satire in the early 1650s
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Marshall, A (2016) ‘Bob tayl’d Scot’: a Republican politician’s personal reputation in the culture of sexual and political satire in the early 1650s. In: Writing Gender and Self, 10 - 11 June 2016, Bath Spa University, Bath, UK.

Oliver Cromwell, protector, and the art of 'arcana imperii'
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Marshall, A (2015) Oliver Cromwell, protector, and the art of 'arcana imperii'. In: News, Secrecy and Foreign Policy in Early Modern England, 24 October 2015, Bath Royal Science and Literary Institution, Bath, UK.

Oliver Cromwell: image making and reputation
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Marshall, A (2015) Oliver Cromwell: image making and reputation. In: Lecture Series, 30 September 2015, Red Brick Building, Glastonbury, Somerset.

Suspicious minds: political murder, reason of state, and morality in seventeenth-century Europe
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Marshall, A (2013) Suspicious minds: political murder, reason of state, and morality in seventeenth-century Europe. In: Intimacy, power and authority in European perspectives, 18 October 2013, Corsham Court, Wiltshire.

Plots, intrigue and meaning
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Marshall, A (2013) Plots, intrigue and meaning. In: NPG Events, 4 July 2013, The National Portrait Gallery, London, UK.

"Memorials for Mrs Affora": Aphra Behn and the Restoration intelligence system
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Marshall, A (2012) "Memorials for Mrs Affora": Aphra Behn and the Restoration intelligence system. In: Aphra Behn in her Seventeenth-Century Contexts, 12 April - 14 April 2012, Loughborough University.

Point of friction: Major Christopher Bethel and his troop of horse
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Marshall, A (2010) Point of friction: Major Christopher Bethel and his troop of horse. In: Cromwell Association AGM, April 2010.

The trials of Thomas Harrison, regicide 1649 and the execution of King Charles
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Marshall, A (2009) The trials of Thomas Harrison, regicide 1649 and the execution of King Charles. In: London Socialist Historians Group, 7 Febraury 2009, Institute of Historical Research, London.

Humanities beyond digitisation
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Marshall, A (2005) Humanities beyond digitisation. In: Digitisation Conference 2005, 20 September - 21 September 2005, Institute of Historical Research, London.

Using EEBO in undergraduate modules
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Marshall, A (2005) Using EEBO in undergraduate modules. In: Waking up in the British Library, 30 April 2005, John Rylands Library, University of Manchester.

The wild geese in Europe: Irish exiles in the seventeenth century
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Marshall, A (1993) The wild geese in Europe: Irish exiles in the seventeenth century. In: Bristol Irish Festival, 1993.

Intelligence and espionage in the English Republic c. 1600-60 [podcast]
audio

Marshall, A and Gribben, C (2023) Intelligence and espionage in the English Republic c. 1600-60 [podcast].

Les Lumières radicales de la Révolution anglaise: Samuel Hartlib et les réseaux de l’Intelligence (1600–1660) [book review]
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Marshall, A (2021) Les Lumières radicales de la Révolution anglaise: Samuel Hartlib et les réseaux de l’Intelligence (1600–1660) [book review]. The English Historical Review, 136 (581). pp. 1051-1053. ISSN 1477-4534

Invisible agents: women and espionage in seventeenth-century Britain [book review]
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Marshall, A (2020) Invisible agents: women and espionage in seventeenth-century Britain [book review]. Journal of Social History, 53 (4). pp. 1099-1101. ISSN 1527-1897

"The Secretaries' Office and the Public Records" and "Stuart Government 1160-1714"
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Marshall, A (2010) "The Secretaries' Office and the Public Records" and "Stuart Government 1160-1714".