2.1 - Plots and Revolts At Home

Question 1

What were the causes of the revolt of the northern earls?

Answer 1

• The earls and their followers wanted Catholicism restored in England.

• The earls had lost a great deal of their influence at court since Elizabeth I queen in 1558.

• Elizabeth refused to name a heir or to marry and have a child, creating uncertainty about England’s future.

• Mary, Queen of Scots, in captivity in England, was a figurehead who could potentially replace Elizabeth and, in doing so, resolve the other issues the earls had

• Elizabeth I wanted Catholicism to die out eventually so she appointed James Pilkington a commited Protestant as archbishop of Durham in 1561.By doing this she wanted to lessen the influence of Catholicism in the North.

• Pilkington became the most important clergyman in the north of England.

Question 2

State a few of the individuals involved in the revolt of the northern earls

Answer 2

• Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland - A Catholic that held an important position under Mary I,but lost influence under Elizabeth I as she favoured new protestant gentry.

• Charles Neville, Earl of Westmorland - from an important Catholic family in the north of England.He was also the Duke of Norfolk’s brother-in-law. He also had close links to old, northern Catholic families, too. However, he later backed down and urged the earls to call off the rebellion

• Mary, Queen of Scots, had met the Duke of Norfolk once, shortly after fleeing to England from Scotland in 1568.She supported the plan to marry him and perhaps even take the English throne.

Question 3

How long were the main events of the revolt of the northern earls?

Answer 3

1st of November 1569 - 19th December 1569

Question 4

What happens on the 1st of November?

Answer 4

Once Elizabeth knew about the plot, Norfolk was arrested. He was sent to the Tower of London

Question 5

What happens on the 9th of November?

Answer 5

At midnight, bells are rung at the Earl of Northumberland’s residence of Topcliffe to start the rebellion.The Earl of Westmorland’s forces are already assembled near Durham.

Question 6

What happens on the 13th of November?

Answer 6

The Earl of Sussex begins raising troops in the rebels on behalf of Elizabeth but few are willing to join him

Question 7

What happens on the 14th of November?

Answer 7

Northumberland’s and Westmorland’s forces seize Durham Cathedral and hear mass.

Question 8

What happens on the 16th of November?

Answer 8

The Earl of Sussex writes to the Privy Council saying he is having difficulty raising enough men

Question 9

What happens on the 22nd of November?

Answer 9

All of northern England east of the Pennines, and as far south as Braham Moor, is controlled by the rebels

Question 10

What happens on the 30th of November?

Answer 10

Some rebels divert to capture Hartlepool, hoping that Spanish help will arrive at the port. It doesn’t.

Question 11

What happens on the 14th of December?

Answer 11

The rebels take Barnard Castle in County Durham.

Question 12

What happens on the 16th of December?

Answer 12

14,000 men marching for Elizabeth from the South reach the River Tees. The rebel forces of 5,400 flee north

Question 13

What happens on the 19th of December?

Answer 13

The earls of Northumberland and Westmorland cross into Scotland. The rebellion is defeated.

Question 14

What is the outcome/consequences of the revolt of the northern earls?

Answer 14

• It was the first, and most serious, rebellious act by English Catholics against Elizabeth I.The treason laws became harsher and the definition of treason was widened.

• It ended the power and influence of the Percy and Neville families in the north of England.

• It prompted harsher treatment of Catholics.For example, in 1572, Elizabeth sent the Earl of Huntingdon, a committed Protestant, to lead the Council of the North*.He implemented laws against Catholics and effectively suppressed Catholicism.

• However, the revolt encouraged the pope, Pius VI, to excommunicate Elizabeth I.His papal bull marked a turning point for English Catholics: their loyalty to Elizabeth was now always in doubt.

Question 15

What plots were there to threaten Elizabeth’s throne?

Answer 15

• Ridolfi Plot 1571
• Throckmorton Plot 1583
• Babington Plot 1586

Question 16

What happened during the Babington plot?

Answer 16

Walsingham Intercepted the letters and deciphered the codes within them. Babington and accomplices were executed, also finally provided solid evidence about Mary’s Involvement

Question 17

What was the consequence of the Babington plot?

Answer 17

• Elizabeth’s government became determined to crush Catholicism
• Mary finally tried by the Privy Council and sentenced to death
• Mary executed in Febuary 1587

Question 18

Why was Mary,Queen of Scots executed?

Answer 18

• Act for the Preservation of the Queen’s safety barred Mary from the succession and allowed for her to be put on trial
• Walsingham had provided clear evidence that she was involved in plotting against Elizabeth
• Rumours of an inminent attack from Spain reinforced the threat that Mary posed

Question 19

What was the significance of Mary, Queen of Scots execution?

Answer 19

• Impact on Elizabeth - she was very upset by the execution but it shows her harsh treatment of Catholics . An important threat removed
• Impact on English Catholics - anger by the execution, they have now lost their hope on a Catholic monarch
• Impact on relationships with Spain - already bad, made even worse by the execution. Gives Phillip II one more reason to want to remove Elizabeth

Question 20

Who was a part of the Ridolfi plot?

Answer 20

Roberto Ridolfi who was an Italian banker living in England. He was also one of the Popes spies

Question 21

What were the events of the Ridolfi plot 1571?

Answer 21

He arranged a plot to murder Elizabeth, launch a Spanish invasion and put Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne. His plot was uncovered when he was abroad and he never returned to England

Question 22

What were the results/significance of the Ridolfi plot 1571?

Answer 22

The plot reinforced the threat placed by Mary and Catholics, and the threat to England from Spain.

Question 23

Who was involved in the Throckmorton plot 1583?

Answer 23

A young Englishman, Francis Thockmorton

Question 24

What were the events of the Throckmorton plot?

Answer 24

Throckmorton was to act as a go-between for Mary and Elizabeth.Although Sir Francis Walsingham (Elizabeths Secretary of State from 1573) uncovered the plot and then was arrested in November 1583 tortured then executed in May 1584

Question 25

What were the results/significance of the Throckmorton plot 1583?

Answer 25

Life became harder for Catholics and were treated with great suspicion by the government. Many important Catholics Fled and up to 11,000 were imprisoned or kept under surveillance in a house arrest.

Question 26

Who was involved in the Babington Plot?

Answer 26

Duke of Guise would again invade , Catholics encouraged Duke of Anthony Babington to write to Mary about the Plot