Elizabeth I foreign policy

Question 1

Why was Mary I a threat to Elizabeth?

Answer 1

• She was catholic and had incurred the wrath of both protestant lords and the English, especially through her marriage with Lord Darnley and she was later implicated in his murder
• Her marriage to the earl for Bothwell caused a civil war as he was also accused of killing Lord Darnley
  She was used by Catholics as a symbol of revolt to overthrow Elizabeth heightened by Elizabeth’s excommunication from the Catholic church limiting the respect of Catholics for her
• She had support from the French through the Auld alliance

Question 2

What was the 1571 Ridolfi plot?

Answer 2

• It was set up by Roberto Ridolfi who could travel between Catholic countries for support
• It involved a conspiracy to overthrow Elizabeth through a Catholic uprising and an invasion by the Duke of Alba and Mary’s marriage to the Duke of Norfolk
• It was uncovered allowing Burghley to ensure the execution of Norfolk for treason

Question 3

What was the 1583 Throckmorton plot?

Answer 3

• It was set up by Francis and Thomas Throckmorton with France and Spain’s support as they would land in Sussex to overthrow Elizabeth to be replaced by Mary
• Walsingham’s espionage uncovered the plot
• It led to the creation of the bond of association, worsened Ango - Spanish relations and tightened Mary’s captivity conditions

Question 4

What was the 1585 Parry plot?

Answer 4

• It was set up by double agent William Parry to assassinate the queen in a private meeting or through ambush
• He was arrested with high treason in the Tower of London and he later wrote a full confession to Elizabeth
• Led to the acceleration of parliamentary proceedings on a bill to ensure Elizabeth’s safety

Question 5

What was the 1586 Babington plot?

Answer 5

• It was set up by a group of English Catholics led by Sir Anthony Babington who wanted to restore English catholicism
• Babington wrote to Mary outlining the plan which she was complicit but the letter was exposed by Walsingham’s codebreaker Thomas Phelippes
• This enabled Burghley to secure Mary’s execution

Question 6

Why was Mary allowed to stay in England from 1567 to 1587?

Answer 6

• There was a lack of evidence against her
• She could flee to Scotland and France who would be willing to support her
• It would anger Catholics
• She didn’t cause any problems for Elizabeth making her a theoretical threat
• Mary was related to Elizabeth
• Plots were easily uncovered by Walsingham
• Elizabeth had divine right and it would be regicide if she killed her

Question 7

What was Mary’s execution like on the 8th of February 1587?

Answer 7

• She was executed after her trail at Fotheringhay castle in Northamptonshire with privy councillors, nobles, and judges
• Cecil motivated Elizabeth to execute Mary despite her doubts a day after Babington plot to protect Protestantism under governmental pressure
• Elizabeth signed the death warrant on the 1st of February 1587
• Catholics believed she died with great dignity and composure and as a martyr for the Catholic faith
• Her dog was under her dress during the execution

Question 8

What was the treaty of Câteau - Cambresis in April 1559?

Answer 8

• France would retain Calais for 8 years after which Calais would be restored to English control if they kept peace
• If France failed to return Calais, they would pay £125,000
• It was a win - win situation for both countries

Question 9

How did Elizabeth get involved in religious conflict in France?

Answer 9

• Dudley encouraged Elizabeth to put military pressure for the return of Calais
• Elizabeth promised the Huguenot leader, the prince of Conde, 6000 men and a loan of £30,000 with the control of Le Havre for security
• The Huguenot army was defeated and Conde was captured
• On the Catholicism side, the Duke of guise was assassinated leaving both sides leaderless so they agreed peace to drive the English out of Le Havre
• The treaty of Troyes in 1564 left Calais permanently lost and affected Elizabeth’s prestige

Question 10

What was conflict like with Scotland from 1558 - 1564?

Answer 10

• Henry II’s death increased tensions as Francis II (Mary’s husband) was heir bringing a strong Catholic Guise faction and stronger auld alliance
• Mary was a claimant to the English throne so calvinist John Knox (wanting Scottish reformation) and power - seeking lords of congregation requested assistance from English protestants
• Elizabeth was against Know due to the trumpet against the monstrous regiment of women in 1558 whilst Cecil was sympathetic to them and the use of English royal coat of arms convinced Elizabeth to send the navy in December 1559
• The lords of congregation offered support from the treaty of Berwick in February 1560 and the army blocked French troops in Leith
• Peace was declared through the treaty of Edinburgh in July 1569 gaining favourable terms heightened by Mary of guise and Francis II’s deaths