Babington Plot 1586

Question 1

What was the aim?

Answer 1

In 1586, Anthony Babington was enlisted by John Ballard in a plot to murder Queen Elizabeth and with help from Spain and the Pope, to release Mary from her captivity.

Question 2

Key event 1

Answer 2

Anthony Babington wrote a long letter to Mary, Queen of revealing the Plot and asked for Mary’s approval and advice.

Question 3

Key event 2

Answer 3

Marys reply fell into the hands of Thomas Phelippes who copied the letter, added the gallows sign, and forged a short postscript asking Babington for the names of those involved.

Question 4

Key event 2

Answer 4

Within days Babington and his colleagues were arrested and taken to the Tower.

Question 5

Key event 3

Answer 5

Mary’s secretaries were interrogated and executed in st. Giles fields.

Question 6

Key event 4

Answer 6

Mary was taken to Fotheringay Castle and put on trial.
She protested her innocence and denied all knowledge of the plot, but the letters were produced as evidence of her guilt.

Question 7

Key event 5

Answer 7

After months of delays Elizabeth signed Mary’s death warrant. Seven days later Mary was beheaded in the Great Hall at Fotheringay.

Question 8

Short term consequences

Answer 8

Resulted in the execution of the conspirators.

They were sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered.

Question 9

Long term consequences

Answer 9

Punishments for christians became stricter.
Execution of Mary caused Phillip of spain to prepare an armada to invade England.
Leading to Francis Drakes raid on Cadiz