Elizabethan England: Plots And Revolts At Home Flashcards
when was the revolt of the Northern Earls?
1569
why did the northern earls rebel?
(4-5)
• the earls and their followers wanted England to be Catholic again.
• resented the appointment of James Pilkington, a protestant, as bishop of Durham in 1561
• earls lost influence at court under Elizabeth and resented “new men” like William Cecil and Robert Dudley
• Elizabeth refused to name an heir, marry and have a child creating uncertainty about England’s future. the earls feared a civil war.
• Mary Queen of Scots, in captivity in England, was a figurehead who could replace Elizabeth and, in doing so, resolve the other issues the earls had
why did the revolt fail (5)
• support from Spain never came
• many northern landowners remained loyal to the queen
• many landowners did not want to risk losing the wealth gained from the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII by backing a failed revolt
• there were poor planning and leadership
• Elizabeth acted decisively and with force
significance of revolt of the northern earls (4)
• showed Mary couldn’t be trusted - remained in prison
• the pope excommunicated Elizabeth and called on loyal royal Catholics to depose of her. This encouraged more Catholic plots
• the loyalty of England’s Catholics was now in doubt, forcing the government to take harsh steps against them
• Elizabeth’s control over the north of England was strengthened
what was the aim for the revolt of the northern earls
overthrow Elizabeth and replace her with Mary
Mary would marry the Duke of Norfolk
What role did RELIGION play in the revolt of the northern earls?
-Much of the north of England (including the earls N+W) held on to traditional Roman catholic beliefs, despite Elizabeth’s religious settlement in 1559
• Elizabeth appointed James Pilkington, a protestant, as bishop of Durham in 1561: she wanted to lessen the influence of Catholicism in the North.
- his efforts to impose Protestantism were very unpopular and only succeeded in turning many northerners against him and against England’s new religion, thus resenting Elizabeth and giving them reasons to rebel.
What role did POLITICS play in the revolt of the northern earls?
Under Mary 1, both earls had been very influential, both at court and locally in the north of England
• Elizabeth favoured Sir John Forster and gave him the task of looking after the borders with Scotland: Northumberland felt his own status was undermined and his relationship with the queen was never recovered
• men like William Cecil and Robert Dudley were newcomers and the earls resented the influence they had over Elizabeth
which up-and-coming rival northern family did the earl of northumberland resent?
the forsters
What role did Mary QOS and succession play in the revolt of the northern earls?
• Mary QOS had a strong claim to the English throne
- the earls planned for Mary to marry the Duke of Norfolk to solve the problem of succession
What role did finance play in the revolt of the northern earls?
- Elizabeth had taken lands from these nobles, so their grievances were personal.
- Northumberland had lost copper mines, costing him money.
- many northern nobles were facing financial hardships
when did the Ridolfi plot take place?
1571
What was the aim of the Ridolfi plot?
For the Spanish to attack, put Mary on the throne and marry her to the Duke of Norfolk. to restore Catholicism in England.
What happened in the Ridolfi plot?
1571, Mary used Ridolfi to carry messages to the Pope and Phillip II, asking them to organise an invasion of England.
In March, Ridolfi travelled to the Netherlands to discuss the plot with the pope, Phillip Il and the Duke of Alba.
Phillip instructed the Duke of Alba to prepare 10,000 troops to send across the English Channel in support of the revolt.
Why did the Ridolfi plot fail?
Sir William Cecil discovered the plot by autumn 1571 and was able to prove that Norfolk was guilty of high treason.
Significance of the Ridolfi Plot
• reinforced the threat from Spain, as Phillip Il would support any plots against Elizabeth
• threat from Spain meant that England needed to improve relations with France, as England could not fight both countries at once
• the government began to monitor Catholics more closely and treat them more severely.
• confirmed that English Catholics and Mary QoS remained a threat to Elizabeth
