Thomas Cromwell

Wolf Hall, a new novel, suggests Cromwell was a wise minister and a decent man. Perhaps that over states the matter -- at least the decent man part -- but the truth is Cromwell was very competent at he was loyal to his first master and to his King.

It may be that an element of ruthlessness, when combined with competence and intelligent, is necessary for a political operator.

Of course, that's history only.