Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots And England's Religious/commercial/political Rivalry With Spain

Question 1

Mary, Queen of Scots: her claim to the English throne, her arrival in England in 1568.

Answer 1

Many Catholics saw Mary Queen of Scots as the legitimate monarch (she was Elizabeth’s second cousin and had a direct link to the throne).

Mary arrived in England in 1568 after the Protestant Scottish Nobles revolted after the suspicious death of her husband.

Question 2

Relations between Elizabeth and Mary, 1568–69.

Answer 2

Elizabeth was unsure what to do with Mary.

She did not want to hand her over to the Scottish Lords (reduce Elizabeth’s own status, power and authority)

However, she also did not want to allow her to go abroad so she decided to keep her in England in captivity (MQOS may encourage rebellion)

Question 3

The features and significance of the Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington Plots. Walsingham and the use of spies.

Answer 3

Three Catholic plots to remove Elizabeth from the throne with the help of France/Spain and replace her with Mary. Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington were key people involved in each one. Walsingham (Secretary of State) intercepted the letters in the Babington Plot and deciphered the codes within them. This was used as evidence to prove that Mary was directly involved

Question 4

The reasons for, and significance of, Mary Queen of Scots’ execution in 1587.

Answer 4

Reasons:
Involvement in a series of plots against Elizabeth e.g Revolt of the Northern Earls , Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington plot.

Walsingham uncovered evidence for Mary’s involvement to execute her under the Act of Preservation of the Queen’s saftey.

1587 threat of Spain increased due to Spain’s involvement with Mary

Mary remained a rallying point for catholics as she was legitimate.

Pope exocommunciated Elizabeth in 1570 (Mary only alternate Queen)

Significance:
Mary was an anointed monarch so executing her may be seen as dangerous for Elizabeth and her heirs.

Execution further angered Phillip II. Mary left the claim to her throne to him.

Execution made succession of the the throne more uncertain. Increased chance of civil war.

The execution removed any important threat to Elizabeth, Mary was the focus on many catholic plots.

Question 5

Spain and England political and religious rivalry:
At the start

Answer 5

Under Mary Tudor, Spain and England were allies. However, as a protestant country their relations fell:

Phillip II and the Pope believed Protestantism was a threat.

English Protestant throught catholicism as a threat.

Phillip was involved in many plots to overthrow Elizabeth.

Question 6

Commercial rivalry. The New World, privateering and the significance of the activities of Drake.

Answer 6

Many English merchants directly challenged Spain’s dominance of the New World (America). Many even attacked Spanish ships and ports.

Francis Drake was the most famous privateer who stole large amounts from Spain. Elizabeth knighted him which sent a clear message to Spain

Question 7

English direct involvement in the Netherlands, 1585–88. The role of Robert Dudley.

Answer 7

Elizabeth’s support for Dutch rebels after they declared independence from Spain led to war with Spain. She allowed Dutch rebels to take shelter in English ports (Sea Beggars), took money from Spanish ships (Genoese Loan) and provided financial help to the Dutch rebels.

Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicester) also led failed military expeditions in the Netherlands which worsened relations between the English and the Spanish further.

After the Treaty of Joinville (1584) made an alliance between the French and Spanish, Elizabeth felt that she could no longer avoid conflict with Spain and signed the Treaty of Nonsuch 1585 in support of the Dutch rebels

Question 8

What happened during the raid on Cadiz: ‘Singeing the King of Spain’s beard’

What did it cause?

Answer 8

April 1587 – Drake sailed into Cadiz Harbour and destroyed 30 Spanish ships and a large amount of their supplies. He then continued to destroy Spanish coastal ports and treasure ships.

England knew that Spain was preparing an attack and this raid delayed their preparations by a year and this gave the English more time to prepare.

Barrels had to be created in order to hold supplies after it was destroyed. The Spanish used poor quality wood for this resulting in the food inside to rot during their travel to England in 1588

Question 9

Reasons why Philip used the Spanish Armada

Answer 9

Religious confilct: Phillip II , a devout catholic had already failed plots against Elizabeth.

The armada and invasion gave him an opportunity for catholic dominance over England. Furthermore, the papacy had wanted to overthrow Elizabeth (exocommunication 1570).

Additionally, the Pope promised absolution (forgiveness) to those taking part in the Armada

Politics and diplomacy:
Treaty of Joinvile (1584) Spain can’t attack England without risk of war.

Treaty of Nonsuch (1885) England soldiers at war with Spain, Phillip can justify attack.

Phillip can control the Atlantic with England.

Changing circumstances:
Spain access to Portugal (1580) resulted in Portuguese ships and ports to be of use.

Duke of Parma succes in the Netherlands meant Spain’s position was secure.

Elizabeth’s hesitation to fully back Dutch rebels was a sign of weakness.

Acts of provication:

Drake attacks in New world threatened Spanish commercial interests

Elizabeth’s support for the Dutch rebels challenged Spanish interets

Question 10

The reasons for and consequences of the English victory.

Answer 10

Reasons for English victory:

tactics: -fire ships during the Battle of Gravelines caused the Spanish to panic , stayed close enough to fire on Spanish ships although far enough to prevent Spanish sailors and soldiers from boarding.

the weather- gale force winds causes most destruction to Spanish ships as they retreated.

Better armed and equipped- English cannons mounted in a smaller gun carriages than the Spanish. It can reloaded and fired more quickly. This prevents ships from linking with the Duke of Parma

poor Spanish supplies- Spanish fleet was at sea for 10 weeks. The food had rotted resulting in a great loss of morale.

poor Spanish leadership - many Spanish captain panicked during the Battle of Gravelines resulting in them to cut their anchords and allow the ship to drift into the North Sea.

communications- No communication between Duke of Parma and Duke of Medina Sidonia.

No deep-water ports. Dutch rebels claimed Ostend. This meant no ships can stop at many ports within Spanish Netherlands. This made communications difficult

Consequences for England:

propaganda and religious victory- God was on the protestant side through their victoey as England was seen to be the underdog against Spain. This persuaded many Englishmen to accept Protestantism rule.

Foreign policy: anglo Dutch alliance was strengthend. Protestantism in Netherlands survived resulting in England to have a protestant ally.

showed strength and skill of the English navy- the defeat id the Armada boosted the confidence of the English. It also encouraged merchants to trade with Europe.

Elizabeth managed to use her victory as a military victor portrayed within her paintings.

Question 11

Ridolfi plot events and significance

Answer 11

1571

Plot:

Rober Ridolfi (one of the Pope’s spies) plotted to murder Elizabeth and put MQOS on the throne to marry the Duke of Norfolk.

Ridolfi discussed plot with Pope,Duke of Alba and Phillip II.

Phillip II instructed the Duke of Alba to prepare 10,000 troops across the channel for the revolt.

Sir William of Cecil discovered the plot and was able to prove that Norfold was guilty. Executed in 1572

Significance:
Plot reinforced threat posed by Mary and by spain.

Elizabeth tries to improve relations with France

Government began to monitor Catholic and treat them more severly. Laws passed to fine those sheltering priests and charge treason if they convert people to catholcicism.

Question 12

Throckmorton plot events and significance

Answer 12

1583

Plot:

French Duke of Guise plotted to invade England and overthrow Elizabeth.

Phillip II offered to help pay for the revolt and Pope approved of the conspiracy.

Francis Throckmorton would pass letters between the plotters and MQOS.

However, Sir Francis Waslsingham (Elizabeth’s secretary of State) discovered the plot.

Walsingham’s spies found papers at Throckmortons house that revealed his part of the consspiracy.

Thorckmorton arrested and tortured to confess his involvement until his execution (1584)

Significance:

Reinforced threat from Spain , France and Mary .

Catholic sympathiser concerned Elizabeth.

More harsh laws against catholics

Catholics treated with greater suspiscion. 11,000 imprisoned. An act of Parliament of 1585 made helping Catholic priests punishable by death.

Question 13

Babington plot events and significance

Answer 13

1585

Plot:
Duke of Guise invaded England p, murder Elizabeth and put MQOS on the throne supported by Phillip II and the Pope.

Anthony Babington a catholic wrote to Mary about the conspiracy

Sir Francis Walsingham intercepted the letter and read it which demonstarted his awareness and involvement in the conspiracy

Babington and plotters sentenced to death and hung,drawn and quartered.

1587 MQOS executed for her involvement.

Significance:
England and Spain in a war.

Elizabeth’s governemnt determined to minimise catholic threat.

1585 11,000 catholic imprisoned or in house arrest

Plot lead to the execution of MQOS and hopes of replacing Elizabeth with a catholic heir.

Question 14

Why was MQOS important

Answer 14

She was catholic. As a result she had many followers from Elizabeth’s opposition

No concerns of legitimacy unlike Elizabeth.

Centre of plots as she had direct involve,ent with key superpowers and had a large influence among catholics (suitable Queen)

Question 15

Options and problems with MQOS

Answer 15

Help Mary regain throne- anger Scottish nobles
And leave Elizabeth against catholic monarch in the North. The Auld Alliance with France can be revive and threaten her.

Hand Marty to the Scottish lords- Elizabeth’s permission of her execution from the Scottish noblemen can provoke France leading to an allied attack with Spain against England

Allow Mary to go abroad- provoke Frencg plot that aimed to remove Elizabeth from the English throne and replace her with Mary

Keep Mary in England- carried risk of catholic plotters attempting to overthrow Elizabeth

Question 16

What was the Casket Letters Affair

Answer 16

Case against Mary between 1568 and 1569

The Scorrish lord brought love letters wrriten by Mary to the Earl of Bothwell which plotted the murder against Lord Darnley.

Mary could not be tried as she was an anointed monarch wouldn’t offer plea unless Elizabeth guarateed a verdict of innocence. Therefore, Mary remained captive.

Question 17

Why were catholics encouraged to support plots to overthrow of Elizabeth

Answer 17

Due to the failure of the Revolt of Northern Earl and the Papal Bull 1570. Elizbeth and her Privy council treated catholics with suspiscion.

Earl of Huntigdon implemented laws against Catholic in the North of England. As a result prepared catholics encouraged by the Pope were determined to go against Elziabeth

Question 18

Walsingham’s use of ciphers

Answer 18

Walsingham hsed ciphers for all correspondence.

As a result he was able to decipher codes against those who plotted against Elizabeth along with the support of Thomas Phelippes.

Question 19

How did Walsingham use torture and execution and why

Answer 19

Priest tortured, to deter others and force them to give information. (130 priests and 60 supporters put to death)

Provided Walsingham with informants he could hse against any plotters

He only used these methods against extreem cases as he did not want anyone to sympathise with plotters

Question 20

Why was Walsingham’s spy network so good

Answer 20

Network of spies and informants in every town

Walsingham’s agents paid and trained by the government

Paid informants who knew information about plotters e.g John Hart (turned informant for Royal Pardon)

Walsingham had spies from abroad

Question 21

What is an agent provocateur

Answer 21

Encouraged those who were seen as a threat to Elizabeth to plot against her. E.g Gilbert Gifford was hsed to open communications between Mary and the Babington plotters to remove MQOS as a threat.

Question 22

Spain and England political and religious rivalry:
Netherlands

Answer 22

Brutal Spanish campaign under the Duke of Alba aimed to restore catholicism in the Netherlands.

Spanish executed many Dutch protestants following the Council of Troubles in 1568

Spain’s campaings in the netherlands angered Elizabeth’s government as a direct threat to protestantism.

Question 23

Spain and England political and religious rivalry:
Netherland response

Answer 23

Secretly supported Dutch Protestants to resist Spanish:

Allowed Dutch rebel ships (Sea Beggars) safe passages in English ports.

Financial support to others fighting the Spanish including volunteers led by John Casimir.

English privateers Sir Francis Drake encouraged to attack Spanish shipping and colonies in Latin America.

Elizabeth proposed to marry Duke of Alençon to fight the Spain in the Netherlands.

Question 24

Spain and England political and religious rivalry:
Spanish Fury and Pacification of Ghent

Answer 24

1576 Spanish governemnt found the war unaffordable. This resulted in troops to be unpaid. As a result this led to a Spanish Fury where troops looted Antwerp

all 17 Dutch provinces joined an alliance against the Spanish, drawn in a document called the Pacification of Ghent to expel the Spanish from the Netherlands

Question 25

Spain and England political and religious rivalry:
By late 1584

Answer 25

Spanish control of the Netherland had been restored under the Duke of Parma.

England allies dead, Duke of Alençon and William of Orange dead

Treaty of Joinville (1584) united France and Spain against the Netherland and England.

Dutch catholics made peace with Spain strengthened Phillip II

Question 26

Spain and England political and religious rivalry:
By 1587

Answer 26

By 1587:
Phillip II blamed English support of the Dutch rebels for making the situation worse

Phillip II blamed English privateers for attacking Spanish shipping

Elizabeth’s government blamed Spain for a series of plots against Elizabeth

Question 27

England and Spain’s commerical rivalry

Answer 27

1570

England and Spain had emerged as commercial rivals. Both countries had competed against each other for acees to the markets and resources within New World and markets with other countries,

Spain had conquered Mexico and Peru previously (1500) which resulted in their vasts amounts of gold and sugar cane/tobacco.

However, privateer such as Sir Francis Drake journeyed great distances in order to loot Spanish ships exporting good and identify new trading routes and resources.

Question 28

Why was England hostile towarsd Spain by the 1570

Answer 28

Spain represented as a major barrier to English trade:

Spanish control of the Netherlands and Schedt closed off one of the principal trade routes used by English traders. (Reduced profits)

Spain’s control of the New World denied English traders from opportunities for profit as trade has already been licenced by the Spanish government.

English traders efforts for making money brought England and Spain in confict

Question 29

How has the relation between England and Spanish fall

Answer 29

Early 1580s

The actipns of Drake and other privateers led to the brink of war.

Elizbaeth knighged Drake demonstrating hostlity towards the Spanish and support for the financial loss of the Spanish and their suffering.

For Phillip Ii, Drake and other privateers were key targets in order to maintain Spanish commercial interests.

Question 30

How was privateering used by England and what did it do

Answer 30

English merchants funded by Elizabeth raided Spanish colonies as well as ships voyaging to and from the New World.

1572 Sir Francis Drake captured £40,000 in Spanish silver. During Drake’s circumnavugation he had brought a total of £400,000.

Elizabeth encouraged Dutch rebels (sea beggars) to attack ships sailing between Spain and Netherlands.

1580 loss of silver meant the Spanish government was unable to pay soldiers within Netherlands.

Question 31

What happened during the campaign in the Netherlands (1585-88) and results of it

Answer 31

Not a greats success:
England not formally at war with Spain so Earl of Leicester was not given sufficient resources to defeat Spain.

Dudley’s offciers, William Stanley and Robert York, defected to the Spanish side.

Dudley and Elizabeth had different aims- Dudley wanted ro end Spanish rule by making it indepdent. On the other hand, Elizabeth wanted the Netherlands to return to how it was governed in 1548.

Results of campaign:
Dudley only disrupted Spanish forces in the Netherlands under the Duke of Parma

Dudley managed to stop the Spanish from capturing a deep-wager port. Ostend. This denied the Spanish to link up with the Duke of Parma’s troop in 1588

Question 32

What happened during the campaign in the Netherlands (1585-88) and results of it

Answer 32

Not a greats success:
England not formally at war with Spain so Leicester was not given sufficient resources to defeat Spain.

Dudley’s offciers, William Stanley and Robert York, defected to the Spanish side.

Dudley and Elizabeth had different aims- Dudley wanted ro end Spanish rule by making it indepdent. On the other hand, Elizabeth wanted the Netherlands to return to how it was governed in 1548.

Results of campaign:
Dudley only disrupted Spanish forces in the Netherlands under the Duke of Parma

Dudley managed to stop the Spanish from capturing a deep-wager port. Ostend. This denied the Spanish to link up with the Duke of Parma’s troop in 1588

Question 33

Startegy of the Spanish Armada

Answer 33

Plam involved 130 ships, 30,000 men to sail across the English chaneel to the Netherlands. From there ships would join forces with the Duke of Parma and trasnport troops to Kent. Spanish troops would then attack London and overthriw Elizabeth and create a new Catholic government in England

Question 34

Tactics used during the Spanish Armada

Answer 34

Spanish:
Needed control of the English channel to trasnport Parma’s troops to England.

England:
It was vital that the English Navy disrupt Spanish shipping, as the Spanish had a bigger and better army than the English

Forced the Spanish up the channel to battles (Battle of Pymouth and IsleWightj)

Used fireships when ships topk refuge in Calais (force panic and seperated ships from Duke of Parma’s fleet)

Question 35

Consequences of English Victiry for Spain

Answer 35

The defeat costed spain very dearly financially and politically

Spain’ war with England continued for the rest of Elizabeth’s reign

Spanish prestige was broken. Other countries became more willing to challenge Spanish ruling. Decline of Spanish empire.

Question 36

Invasion of Spanish Armada timeline

Answer 36

29 July- Armada spotted in the English channel

31 Juky- Batttle of Plymouth. 2 spanish ships captured

3-4 August- Battle of Isle of Wight. Spanish ships outgunned by English to move to Calais.

8 August- Battle of Gravelines. Fireships caused the Spanish to panic. The fleet never links up with the Duke of Parma and is scattered.