5 - Plots And Revolts At Home Flashcards
1
Q
What were the reasons for the plot of the Northern Earls - 1569?
A
- The Earls wanted to restore Catholicism
- The Earls wanted to restore the political power of the northern nobility in the north and in court, Elizabeth had weakened their power, so many nobles had political grievances
- The Earls wanted to remove the Queen’s councillors who were leading her away from the ‘correct faith’
- Elizabeth had taken land from many nobles, leading to financial hardship
- Earls wanted Mary Queen of Scots to become queen as she was Catholic and had an heir
- There was also a possibility of foreign support.
2
Q
Why did the plot of the Northern Earls fail?
A
- Ineffective leadership: Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland were not brave or decisive leaders, and when a large royal army approached, they panicked and fled
- Lack of clarity with regards to purpose: Could not decide whether they wanted to just free Mary or make her the new Queen. Later realised they could not rescue Mary when moved to a new prison
- Lack of support from other Catholic nobles and English Catholics
- Lack of support from foreign powers: The pope had not specifically expressed his support for the revolt (although did agree, shown through the Regnans of Excelsis, which arrived late) nor France. Spain initially expressed support but King Philip II did not want Mary Queen of Scots to become Queen, due to her close links with his enemy - France.
- There was an instant and effective response from Elizabeth and her government: Although it took Elizabeth by surprise, a large army was raised and the Earls that did not manage to flee to Scotland were punished harshly.
3
Q
What was the significance of the plot of the Northern Earls?
A
- It was the first major rebellion against Elizabeth
- People started to realise that Elizabeth was frightened by rebellions, as she had ordered the execution of 800 people involved in the plot (although only 450 were executed due to bad weather and reluctance from officials). It was also difficult for Tudor monarchs to raise a militia to prevent rebellions
- Elizabeth started to realise that as long as Mary was held in captivity, there would always be a willingness for Catholics to rebel against her and free Mary, as she was a rightful heir to the throne
4
Q
What were the events of the Ridolfi Plot of 1571?
A
- Robert Ridolfi was an Italian banker who was used as the messenger within the plot, between Mary Queen of Scots, Duke of Norfolk, Duke of Alva and Phillip II. Bankers often went to and from countries and were a good way of transporting messages
- The aim was for the Spanish Netherlands and Spain to invade England, and then all the English Catholics would rise in support.
- The plan was to replace Elizabeth with Mary Queen of Scots and restore Catholicism
- The Duke of Norfolk, a leading noble in England, was heavily involved, and the plan was for him to marry Mary.
- However, the Duke of Alva (Governor of the Netherlands) was not keen and messaged Philip II to only invade after Elizabeth had been overthrown.
- Meanwhile, Francis Walsingham, Secretary of State and a detective, intercepted letters about the plot between Mary, Ridolfi and the Duke of Alva and uncovers it before it goes public
- Duke of Norfolk is betrayed by his servants and arrested. He is eventually executed. Mary is not executed.
5
Q
What do some historians believe about Ridolfi?
A
- Some historians believe the Ridolfi plot was an artificial plot created by Cecil to frame Mary Queen of Scots.
- They believe Robert Ridolfi was employed as a double agent, as he was conveniently out of the country when the plot was discovered and no efforts were made to catch him afterwards.
- However this is circumstantial evidence and can only be used in certain questions in exams.
6
Q
What were the consequences of the Ridolfi plot?
A
- The Ridolfi plot caused Protestant MPs to put increased pressure on Elizabeth to be harsher to Catholics
- Elizabeth signed the execution of the Duke of Norfolk, and signed an act stating that anyone who claimed she was not a rightful Queen would be classed as a traitor
- The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572 in France, where many Protestants were killed under the orders of Mary’s relatives, further increased the fear of a Catholic invasion
7
Q
What were the events of the Throckmorton plot - 1583?
A
- Francis Throckmorton was an English Catholic who came to the attention of Francis Walsingham as a carrier of letters between Mary Queen of Scots, the French and the Spanish ambassadors. He was also in contact with members of the English Catholic nobility.
- The government believed that target of the plot was to take the life of Elizabeth, but Throckmorton confessed under torture (after being put under surveillance in April 1583), that the plan was for there to be an uprising in the north of England, and at the same time the French Duke of Guise would lead an invasion, financially supported by Philip II.
- Mary Queen of Scots would be freed as the rightful Queen of England and Catholicism would be restored
- Again the details of the plot were uncovered before it went public
8
Q
What were the consequences of the Throckmorton plot?
A
- Francis Throckmorton was executed in July 1584
- The two British nobles (Lord Henry Howard and the Earl of Northumberland) that had been implicated were arrested. Northumberland took his own life while imprisoned and Howard was released after questioning
- There was an increased fear of invasion, so Elizabeth’s councillors focused on collecting concrete evidence that would incriminate Mary, as they believed Elizabeth would never be safe as long as she was alive.
9
Q
What were the events of the Babington Plot -1586?
A
- Anthony Babington was a young Catholic who joined in with serious plotting with Catholic friends. He was unaware that the plotting had originated from a fanatical priest under the surveillance of the British government
- Babington wrote to Mary, detailing the six steps needed to restore Catholicism in England. He had plans to kill Elizabeth and replace her with Mary.
- However, since the Throckmorton plot, spies had been placed in Mary’s household to attempt to incriminate her. All of the letters were intercepted and Mary’s fate was sealed when she replied, agreeing to the plot.
10
Q
What were the consequences of the Babington plot?
A
- Babington and the other plotters were arrested, convicted of treason and sentenced to death. They were executed in September 1586.
- In the same month, Mary was moved to Fotheringhay Castle, where her trial started. It was eventually recommended that she should be executed, after plotting to take Elizabeth’s life.
11
Q
How did Francis Walsingham catch the plotters?
A
- Interrogation and torture: Captured suspects would be tortured on the rack to extract information and then executed as a warning to others
- Searches and registers: Town councils were authorised to search foreigners’ houses, taverns and inns had to report any foreigners and customs officials were allowed to search them for letters.
- The Lord Lieutenants of each county officially reported any threats to Walsingham
- Employing a network of spies and agents in England and foreign countries
- Was very effective at intercepting and decoding messages by employing code breakers and spies within the households of suspects
- Walsingham was influential in Parliament and persuaded them to pass many acts which increased penalties against Catholics, including an act that if Elizabeth’s life was threatened, Mary would be executed.
12
Q
What were the events of Mary Queen of Scots’ execution and why was it significant?
A
- Mary had been found guilty of treason but could not be executed until Elizabeth signed the death warrant.
- Elizabeth was reluctant and delayed the execution as much as possible, perhaps because she found it difficult to kill a monarch who had been divinely appointed by God, and she was also concerned about how other monarchs would react (James VI).
- At the beginning of February 1587, Elizabeth finally signed the warrant but still refused to send it. Eventually, Mary was executed at Fotheringhay on the 8th February 1587.
Mary’s execution was significant, as it meant that there was no direct threat to Elizabeth anymore (was on good terms with James VI, who was Protestant anyway) and the plots being planned would be less meaningful.
13
Q
Why was Mary Queen of Scots executed?
A
- She was a Catholic and attracted the support of people who were opposed to the Religious settlement
- She had a strong claim to the throne
- The plots had increased the sense of danger to Elizabeth, and there was proof that Mary was directly involved.
- Foreign involvement in plots increased danger
- Elizabeth was under pressure from her Protestant councillors
