Issues of Succession and Plots Flashcards
Who were potential suitors for Elizabeth early in her reign? - Issues of Succession and Plots
Elizabeth was potentially lined up to marry Robert Dudley, Philip of Spain, the Archdukes Ferdinand and Charles and Prince Erik of Sweden early in her reign.
What issues existed over a potential marriage to Robert Dudley? - Issues of Succession and Plots
Any marriage to Robert Dudley would have created controversy following suspicions that he had murdered his previous wife so he could marry Elizabeth. Furthermore, it may have risked devaluing the courtly significance of William Cecil, something that Cecil, as the Queen’s closest courtier, could not tolerate.
When did England face a potential succession crisis? What created this? - Issues of Succession and Plots
England faced a potential succession crisis in 1562, with this resulting after Elizabeth had been stricken with a potentially life-threatening bout of smallpox.
What issues may have been created by the death of an heirless Elizabeth? - Issues of Succession and Plots
The death of Elizabeth without an heir risked creating civil war, the threat of a foreign invasion, religious strife and factional rivalry in England.
What issues were there with the potential heirs to the throne in Lady Catherine Grey and Mary, Queen of Scots? - Issues of Succession and Plots
Lady Catherine Grey - had disgraced herself with Elizabeth by secretly marrying the Earl of Hertford, diminishing any claim to the throne.
Mary, Queen of Scots - was Catholic and had previously been under French and Scottish influence, meaning that a foreign power could dominate England.
When did Parliament pressure Elizabeth to marry with very little reaction? - Issues of Succession and Plots
Parliament pressured Elizabeth to marry with little reaction in 1559.
When was Elizabeth again pressured to marry, this time responding more aggressively? What was her response? - Issues of Succession and Plots
In 1566 Elizabeth was again pressured to marry, this time reacting furiously. She banished Leicester and the Earl of Pembroke from the presence chamber and rebuked both the House of Commons and the House of Lords for intervening in matters that she believed were her prerogative to control.
When was it considered that Elizabeth could Mary the Duke of Anjou? Why? What was feared about this? - Issues of Succession and Plots
It was considered that Elizabeth could marry Anjou in 1579 when it was feared that Anjou would seize control of the Netherlands. Any marriage would allow England to retain influence over this region, but it was feared that any heir would be under French influence.
What was the final outcome of the succession? - Issues of Succession and Plots
It eventually ended up being the case that James VI, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, was the heir to the throne upon Elizabeth’s death.
Why did Mary, Queen of Scots pose a threat to Elizabeth? What exacerbated this threat? - Issues of Succession and Plots
Mary, Queen of Scots posed a threat to Elizabeth because some English Catholics, frustrated with the move towards Protestantism under Elizabeth, saw her as the rightful monarch. This threat was exacerbated in 1570, when Elizabeth was excommunicated by the Pope, absolving Catholics of their responsibility to support her.
When did the Ridolfi Plot take place? Who was implicated? - Issues of Succession and Plots
The Ridolfi Plot took place in 1571. This involved the Duke of Norfolk, Mary QoS, Spanish troops and Cecil (who uncovered the plot and led the retribution against those who led it).
Describe the events of the Ridolfi Plot. How was it handled and what was the outcome? - Issues of Succession and Plots
The Ridolfi Plot saw an attempt to land a Spanish force in England which would then overthrow Elizabeth and install Mary, who would marry the Duke of Norfolk. This conspiracy failed when Philip of Spain failed to provide a force to support the Mary (previously backed by the French). Cecil then successfully pushed for the execution of Norfolk.
When did the Throckmorton Plot take place? Who was implicated? - Issues of Succession and Plots
The Throckmorton Plot took place in 1583. This involved the Duke of Guise, Nicholas Throckmorton and Francis Walsingham.
Describe the events of the Throckmorton Plot. How was it handled and what was the outcome? - Issues of Succession and Plots
The Throckmorton Plot saw a hope that Spanish forces could land in England under the Duke of Guise’s command, with the aim to overthrow Elizabeth and replace her with Mary. Walsingham had a spy in the French embassy who was able to get Throckmorton to confess to the plot. He was executed, while the Spanish ambassador was expelled.
When did the Parry Plot take place? What happened and what was the outcome? - Issues of Succession and Plots
The Parry Plot took place in 1585. This was an attempt to assassinate Elizabeth and replace her with Mary by a Welsh MP, William Parry. Parry was executed for treason as a result when the plot was discovered.
