'Turncoat' by Dennis Sewell Review
18 days ago
- #Stuart England
- #espionage
- #biography
- Dennis Sewell's 'Turncoat' explores the life of George Downing, a spymaster who served both Oliver Cromwell and Charles II.
- Downing was born in Dublin in 1623, educated at Harvard, and began his career as a chaplain before transitioning into intelligence work.
- As scoutmaster general, Downing excelled in espionage, turning opponents into informers and playing a key role in Cromwell's victories.
- After the Restoration in 1660, Downing successfully negotiated his continued employment under Charles II, even betraying former colleagues like John Okey.
- Downing was knighted, acquired significant wealth and land, and became a key adviser on American affairs, though he was also suspected of corruption.
- Sewell's biography sheds light on 17th-century spycraft and Downing's rise to power, though his personal life and conscience remain enigmatic.
- The book also questions whether Downing was 'the biggest scoundrel in Stuart England' and examines his controversial legacy.