Mary Queen of Scots

Question 1

What was MQS’s claim to the throne?

Answer 1

Mary’s presence in England was a problem. She was next in line to the throne, favoured by Catholics, while Elizabeth was refusing to marry or name an heir.

Question 2

What was the danger of supporting Mary?

Answer 2

Supporting Mary would mean attacking a friendly Protestant government in Scotland. Mary was her cousin, but it was too big a risk.

Question 3

What was the potential danger of not supporting Mary?

Answer 3

Not supporting Mary would be endorsing her overthrow and implying that it was acceptable to depose an anointed, lawful monarch.

Question 4

Why did Mary come to England?

Answer 4

• When Catholic Mary Queen of Scots returned in 1561, Scotland was being ruled by a Protestant government.
• Mary married Lord Darnley and gave birth to an heir, James, in 1566.
• Darnley was murdered in 1567. Mary and her lover, the Earl of Bothwell, were implicated.
• Mary was forced to abdicate in favour of James, then imprisoned. The Earl of Moray became regent.
• Mary escaped in 1568 and raised an army but was defeated. She fled to England.

Question 5

What happened in the Northern Rebellion?

Answer 5

• The Northern Rebellion of 1569 aimed to marry Mary, Queen of Scots to the Duke of Norfolk. Her children with Norfolk would be Elizabeth’s heirs.
• The aims of the plot developed into deposing Elizabeth I.
• Catholic Earls from northern England led thousands of ordinary Catholics in rebellion, seizing Durham.
• The Northern Rebellion was put down by Elizabeth I’s troops. Hundreds were executed, showing Elizabeth’s alarm. Neither Mary nor Norfolk were punished.

Question 6

What plots were there against Elizabeth?

Answer 6

• The Ridolfi Plot in 1572 was a plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and put Mary on the throne.
• The Throckmorton Plot in 1583 was a plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and the Duke of Guise invading England.
• The Babington Plot in 1586 was also a plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and the Duke of Guise invading England. Mary was found to be implicated in this plot.

Question 7

What were the reasons not to execute Mary?

Answer 7

Elizabeth I was reluctant to execute Mary following the Babington Plot. This was because:
- She didn’t want to condone the murder of a monarch.
- Mary was her cousin.
- Mary’s execution would anger the Catholic community.
- It could give Spain an excuse to invade England.

Question 8

What were the reasons to execute Mary?

Answer 8

But there were compelling reasons to execute Mary:
- England was already at war with Spain and Spain was planning their Armada.
- Mary had been found guilty of treason.
- Mary was executed in February 1587.