Nathan is recruited by Sir Francis Walsingham into England’s Secret Service:

    “Walsingham looked old and careworn but he still carried himself with a quiet authority and strength. His eyes, which were almost black and seemed to see everything, made anyone tremble who came before him with a secret in their hearts. He was, after all, England’s Spymaster General. There was no plot, no conspiracy, no deviousness that escaped Sir Francis. No one could enter or leave England without the permission of his office. His formidable intelligence-gathering network had been built up over a number of years. Many people served England by working for him – actors, poets, pirates, mystics and noblemen; no one was too low or too high. He spent his own money in maintaining these networks, and much of what he did was without the knowledge of the queen – but he did it all for her. To Walsingham, Elizabeth was the greatest and wisest monarch that had ever ruled England – and he believed that, without her, all would fall into chaos.”