Challenges to Elizabeth at home and abroad, 1569-88 Flashcards
When was the Northern rebellion?
November 1569
Give one religious reason why the Northern nobles were unhappy with Elizabeth in the 1560s?
Catholicism strongest in north of England. Wanted restoration of Catholicism under Catholic monarch. Arrival of MQS in 1568 gave them hope Elizabeth could be replaced
Give one political reason why the Northern nobles were unhappy with Elizabeth in the 1560s?
Saw power an influence over monarch reducing. Elizabeth preferred Protestant advisors from non-noble families.
Elizabeth increased her control of the north through Council of the North – Council was controlled by Protestants. Nobles resented this.
Why was the Duke of Northumberland angry with Elizabeth?
Elizabeth had taken large areas of land from him and shared them between his main rival in the north and a southern Protestant. Elizabeth had also claimed all profits from copper mines discovered on his land.
Name three important figures who took part in the northern rebellion
Duke of Norfolk (Queen Elizabeth’s cousin), Northumberland and Westmorland
Who did the earls want to replace Elizabeth with as queen of England?
Mary Queen of Scots
Which city did the nobles capture and what did they do at the cathedral there?
Durham. Celebrated Catholic Mass.
Why did the Northern rebellion fail?
- Large royal army met rebels – showed support for Elizabeth
- Little support for revolt among majority of Catholic nobility and ordinary people – most chose to support Queen.
- Spain / Pope’s promise of military support did not happen.
What happened to the nobles after they were defeated?
400-600 of those involved were executed, including Northumberland. Others fled to Scotland / abroad.
What was the impact of the Northern uprising?
- Elizabeth confiscated the land of the Earls who rebelled making her stronger
- The reorganising of the Northern Council strengthened her position
- Norfolk was released after 9 months in the tower of London
What did Pope Pius do in 1570 and how did this increase the Catholic threat to Elizabeth?
Papal Bull excommunicating Elizabeth I. Meant Catholics no longer had to obey her – encouraged to overthrow her.
What were the aims of the Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington Plots?
Assassinate Elizabeth I. Replace her with Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots.
In what year was the Ridolfi plot?
1571
Who supported the Ridolfi plot?
Pope and King Philip who agreed to provide troops.
Why did the Ridolfi plot fail?
Letters were intercepted. Elizabeth’s allies passed names of main conspirators to her.
In what year was the Throckmorton Plot?
1583
Who uncovered the Throckmorton Plot?
Francis Walsingham – had Throckmorton under surveillance for months
What did English nobles have to sign after the failed Throckmorton Plot and what did it require them to do?
Bond of Association – required them to execute anyone who tried to overthrow Elizabeth
Give two reasons why the Catholic Plots were never a real threat
Elizabeth was popular ruler – conspirators lacked public support e.g. failure of Northern Earls showed lack of appetite for Catholic revolution
Philip II – reluctant to destroy alliance with Elizabeth. Promises of support were half-hearted. Rarely followed through
Spy network always uncovered plots long before they fully developed
When was the Babington plot?
1586
How was the Babington plot discovered?
Walsingham was aware of the plot and allowed it to develop to the point where Mary agreed to the assassination of Elizabeth.
What happened to Mary?
She was found guilty of treason. Elizabeth signed her death warrant but did not seal it. Mary was executed.
When was MQS executed?
1587 (Feb)
Why had Elizabeth been reluctant up until then to execute MQS?
Mary a fellow monarch – believed in divine right, executing Mary undermined claim to rule by Divine Right and might fuel more plots against her.
What was the impact of Mary’s beheading?
Limited – English Catholics did not rise up against Elizabeth
Although Philip of Spain did launch the Armada it was not a direct consequence of Mary’s execution
