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
Another significance of the ridolfi plot was that 2 laws passed in 1581 meant
families could be fined for sheltering priests and charged with treason if they converted people to Catholicism.
When was the Throckmorton Plot?
1583
What was the Throckmorton Plot?
Francis Throckmorton (catholic) organised a plan for a French army to invade England and replace Elizabeth with Mary Queen of Scots
In the Throckmorton plot Mary used Francis Throckmorton as an………
intermediary
Who planned the Throckmorton plot
the french duke of Guise
what happened to Mary Queen of scots when the Throckmorton plot failed
she was moved to Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire where she was held in isolation and allowed no visitors
significance of the Throckmorton plot (3)
• revealed the extent of the threat posed by foreign catholic powers, English Catholics and mary queen of scots.
• showed that France and Spain was a threat and that Elizabeth needed to take care that Catholic powers would not unite against her
• The government treated Catholics under greater suspicion
How were catholics treated as a result of the Throckmorton plot
• 1100 Catholics were imprisoned, kept under surveillance or put under house arrest
• An act of Parliament of 1585 made helping or sheltering catholic priests punishable by death
When was the Babington Plot?
1586
What was the aim of the Babington plot?
to kill Elizabeth, free Mary and restore Catholicism- it encouraged English Catholics to rebel.
what was the plan for the Babington Plot?
- Duke of Guise would invade England with 60,000 men, murder Elizabeth and put Mary on the throne.
- This was supported by the Pope and Phillip II
Why did the Babington Plot fail?
- Mary was being closely watched and Francis Walsingham was able to intercept and read the letters.
- once Francis had sufficient details about the plot including the 6 Catholics prepared to assasinate Elizabeth, all involved were arrested.
