Catholic threat Flashcards
What was the Catholic threat like in the early years of Elizabeth’s reign?
Limited
Didn’t have foreign support
Many conformed outwardly but kept Catholic beliefs
the number refusing to go to church was small
Why was MQS a threat to Elizabeth?
She had a legitimate claim to the English throne
Devout Catholic, provided Catholics with alternative queen to Protestant Elizabeth
Had a male heir-succession would be secure once she died
legitimate as opposed to Elizabeth
What happened to MQS in 1567?
Scots rebelled against her
Fled to England + asked Elizabeth for help
What Catholic rebellions were there?
The Northern Rising Excommunication The Ridolfi Plot The Throckmorton Plot The Babington Plot
What caused the Northern Rising? (1569)
MQS planned to marry Thomas Howard-threat would strengthen her power + claim to throne
Plan was discovered, Norfolk imprisoned
Earl of Westmoreland (Norfolk’s bro in law) + earl of Northumberland assembled rebel army in northern countries
What happened in the Northern Rising?
Restored Mass in Durham Cathedral
Destroyed English Prayer Book + Elizabeth’s books of common prayer
What did Elizabeth do about Northern Rebellion?
moved Mary further south so rebels couldn’t reach her
sent troops under Lord Sussex to suppress the rising
Westmoreland escaped to exile
Northumberland exiled + beheaded
Norfolk abandoned plans to marry MQS
What was the threat of the Northern Rebellion?
Not big threat
In winter, rebels starving limited support, severe punishments
What were the motivations of Westmoreland and Northumberland?
Catholics
Wanted to overthrow Cecil, thought he was too influential + blamed him for poor policies
Why was the Papal Bull a threat to Elizabeth?
Pope excommunicated Elizabeth
meant that all Catholics were absolved from recognising Elizabeth as queen
outlawed Elizabeth
Catholics everywhere were encouraged to plot against Elizabeth, and not only seek to threaten her authority but also her life
What was the Ridolfi Plot?
- Roberto Ridolfi plotted Mary’s escape to marry Norfolk
Had support of Pope + Spanish ambassador
The plot called for Spain to intervene with troops to support the marriage + put Mary on the throne
Discovered by Elizabeth’s agents, executed him
What was the Throckmorton plot?
1583
Francis Throckmorton plotted with Spanish ambassador Mendoza to kill E + replace her with Mary
Mendoza arrested
Under torture, Throckmorton confessed to a conspiracy to murder Elizabeth + put Mary on throne with help of foreign troops-led by the French Henri, duc de Guise
What did Elizabeth do about the Throckmorton plot?
Throckmorton executed
Mendoza expelled, threated to return with army
convinced Parliament to pass Bond of Association in 1584, calling on all Englishmen to take oath to seek out + kill anyone plotting to murder the queen
What was the Babington Plot?
1586
Anthony Babington enlisted by Catholic priest in plot to murder Elizabeth
Had support from agents of Spain + the Pope to release Mary from captivity
Babington unknowingly recruited one of Elizabeth’s agents
the discovery of this + the Stafford plot of 1587 convinced E to execute MQS
What was the Stafford Plot?
1587
plan to blow Elizabeth up by putting gunpowder under her bed
What other important treaties were there?
1572, Parliament urged Elizabeth to execute Mary + Norfolk
1572 the Massacre of Bartholomew in France convinced many English protestants there was a European-wide Catholic conspiracy to exterminate Protestantism
Why was MQS executed in 1587?
because while alive she was a catalyst for Catholic rebellions
Catholicism had become a serious threat due to its external connections overseas
the plots demonstrated that the pope, rulers of European monarchies + religious order could impose considerable power if they wished to
existence caused too many serious threats from Catholics, unsafe for E
Who were the Seminary priests?
Catholic priests who had been sent to keep Catholicism alive. Essential as faith depended on sacraments + they administered these.
Had long + strict changing to ensure they were best examples
about 100 seminary priests came before 1580 and after 1580, about 179 came over the next 5 years
Why were Seminary priests + Jesuits a threat?
They were hidden by Catholic families so difficult to find
In total 650 Jesuits and seminary priests came, their numbers peaking in 1588.
Who were the Jesuits?
Emerged in 1580s, most likely to restore Catholicism
Gov thought they were a threat, passed acts
What acts were passed against Jesuits?
1581, recusancy fines increased to £20 + it was treason to recognise the authority of the Pope
To get convictions, asked ‘bloody questions’ designed to entrap them by asking if they thought that all Catholics should obey the papal bull of 1570 and rebel
against the queen
1585 Act, treasonable to be ordained Catholic priest in England after the expiry of a 40-day period of grace
Catholic not a threat
Gradually Catholicism died out, shortage of Catholic priests to keep faith alive + not replaced when dead
Most Catholics in England were loyal to E, ignored Papal Bull
E’s propaganda, her image as Gloriana made her powerful, supported by Francis
Walsingham, his spy network very effective in dealing with Catholic threat
Yes, Catholic a threat
international links with European monarchs + the papacy
attempts to kill her
