Elizabethan England- Mary Queen of Scots

Question 1

How did many English Protestants react to Mary’s arrival in England and why

Answer 1

• with shock and fear
• they saw a potential Catholic Queen and a possible return to Mary I’s reign which had seen the burning alive of many protestants

Question 2

What happened to Mary when she arrived in England and why

Answer 2

-kept as Elizabeth’s prisoner for 19 years due to fear of her overthowing Elizabeth/ inspiring Catholic plotters and rebels to act against Elizabeth

Question 3

What plot was being planned in 1586 and who was involved

Answer 3

Babington plot to make Mary Queen of England

• involved Anothony babington
• MQS

Question 4

What happened as a result of Walsingham uncoding the secret letters passed back and forth between Babington and MQS

Answer 4

–it became clear MQS was supporting a plot to kill Elizabeth

-8th Feb at Fotherington Castle- MQS executed

Question 5

Name 3 overall reasons why MQS was a threat to Elizabeth

Answer 5

ILLEGITIMACY- Many people believed Elizabeth to be illegitimate- so felt she had no right to be on the throne. (Her father, Henry VIII, had divorced his first wife. Catholics didn’t recognise divorce and so viewed his second marriage to Elizabeth’s mother as illegal.)

• Mary- legitimate
• PROTESTANTISM- Elizabeth had converted England’s official religion to Protestantism, leaving many Catholics disgruntled. Mary was a Catholic and many viewed her as their figurehead and a rightful replacement to the throne.

-REPLACEMENTMary was also a focal point for plots against Elizabeth- as those who opposed Elizabeth had hope that she could be replaced now:
Ridolfi plot, Throckmorton plot, Babington plot

Question 6

Negatives of killing Mary Queen of scots

Answer 6

• CATHOLICS- now had a martyr (someone who had died for their faith) and so saw Elizabeth as the wicked heretic they believed she was
• anger MQS supporters (possible rebellions/ protests)
• SPANISH In 1587, relations with Spain were at a low point - the two countries were now at war over the Netherlands, and King Philip II had been preparing for an attack on England since 1585. Mary’s execution made the situation worse. Philip was now even more determined to invade.
• sets a precedent suggesting killing Queens is acceptable

Question 7

Positives of killing Mary Queen of Scots

Answer 7

-FRANCE- feared the might of Spain, so despite being angered by the execution they maintained their alliance with England

• SCOTLAND- King James VI was on throne of Scotland and was Elizabeth’s heir so Scotland took no action
• gain trust of Scottish Protestant leaders

-CATHOLICS- in england remained loyal- the execution removed catholic threat to Elizabeth as english catholics now had no-one to rally around, and they lost hope of ever overthrowing Elizabeth and reversing the religious settlement. There were no more major Catholic plots during Elizabeth’s reign.