Thomas Phelippes

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Thomas Phelippes (1556–1625) was a forger and intelligence gatherer. He served mainly under Sir Francis Walsingham, in the time of Elizabeth I, deciphering the codes of those plotting against her. He is most remembered for his adding of a postscript to the "bloody letter" sent by Mary Queen of Scots to Anthony Babington regarding the Babington plot. This postscript asked Babington for the names of the plotters involved in the planned assassination of Queen Elizabeth I, and hence Francis Walsingham was able to "prove" Mary's direct involvement in the plot, and have her executed.

• The codebreakers, the comprehensive history of secret communication from ancient times to the internet (revised and updated 1996) - David Kahn ISBN 0684831309
• Cryptology and statecraft in the Dutch Republic - Karl de Leeuw ISBN 9057760398
• Spies & spymasters, a concise history of intelligence - Jock Haswell ISBN 0500011788