Nick Skeres

Nick Skeres was a denizen of London in the sixteenth century. He served William Cecil and took part in Cecil's plot to expel the Spanish-backed Queen Isabella and King Albert from England. Skeres, who was at home in London's seedy underworld, contacted William Shakespeare and let him know that Cecil wished to contract him to write Boudicca.

Skeres became Shakespeare's point man for contact with other conspirators, and Shakespeare often considered Skeres an unwelcome visitor. Skeres put Shakespeare in contact with Ingram Frizer, who murdered several people Shakespeare considered security risks.

Skeres lived to see the plot come to fruition under Cecil's son Robert and took part in the popular uprising which expelled the Spaniards and restored Queen Elizabeth to the throne. In gratitude, Elizabeth knighted Skeres.