Catholic Threat Flashcards
What happened in 1569
North uprising of the catholic earls. Involved the brief restoration of the mass in Durham cathedral, put forward Mary as their queen, Cecil moved Mary even further south, Rebbellion put down swiftly - minimal threat
What happened in 1570 and 1580
1570 - Pope excommunicated Elizabeth 1 from church claiming she was a heretic (papal bull 1)
1580- Pope stated that any catholic that assassinated Elizabeth was doing gods service and would go to heaven
What was the Ridolfi plot 1571
Influenced by the popes papal bull and Mary Stuart entering England. Ridolfi( popes financial advisor) raising money across Europe to overthrow Elizabeth. William Cecil Elizabeth 2nd man found out through his spy network a catholic courier would land at dover. They intercepted him found a coded letter addressed to 40. Arrested him, didn’t give in to torture, Cecil placed fake prisoner to befriend him, discovered Bailey carrying letters from Spain. Two men in Shrewsbury found with letters and money. Letters revealed 40 was the Duke of Norfolk - richest man in England, Elizabeth’s cousin
Consequences of Ridolfi plot 1571
Elizabeth couldn’t accept a kingsman was trying to kill her, Cecil anyounmsly released phamlets stating Norfolk was a traitor. Turned public against him
Elizabeth hesitates for 8 months finally signs his death warrant June 1572
Cecil not satisfied as he believe Mary Stuart was involved.
What happened to Mary Stuart 1568
- she narrowly escaped Scotland after a scandal with her husbands
- Elizabeth coildnt kill her or send her back to Scotland as she couldn’t kill a future queen and not expect consequences
- kept her under house arrest
Why was Mary Stuart a threat to Elizabeth
- Mary was a devout catholic many saw her as a figurehead
- Mary had a sound legitimate claim to the throne and some already saw Mary as their queen
What happened in 1583
Throckmorton plot- Francis throckmorton and Spanish ambassador aimed to assassinate Elizabeth and replace her with Mary - serious as Spain and France involved
What was the 1586 Babington plot
- MQS house bound Cecil and Walsingham hoped the isolation would make her trip up.
- one day a brewer ( who was a double agent) gives Mary a letter from babington a well born young catholic addressing his loyalty to her.
After many letters he sends one saying he has 100 followers to free Mary and 3 men would assainate elizabeth. Cecil intercepts this gets Cambridge maths student to decode it, now all they needed was Mary’s signature. After few days of hesitating Mary finally agrees to the assassination. Cecil now has all the proof he needed. Babington was executed.
How was Mary Stuart executed
- Mary is put on trial and found guilty for plotting to kill the queen, Elizabeth still wary to kill her and it would be on her head, Cecil pushes her finally she sings Mary’s death warrant 1st feb 1587, Elizabeth asks for it back but Cecil doesn’t respond and goes ahead with the assassination.
February 1587 Mary was executed dressed in a beautiful scarlet dress symbolising catabolism.
After hearing the news Elizabeth breaks down in a fit of anger screaming, crying. It can be argued she essentially does this showing that it wasn’t her fault as she asked for the warrant back but knew secretly Cecil would go through with it anyway. Does it to clear her bloody hands and makes it seem like it’s Cecil fault, she even banishes Cecil from court
