Mary Queen of Scots

Question 1

Mary’s claim to the throne

Answer 1

• Mary was next in line to the throne
• she was also a Catholic, so favoured by them
• Elizabeth at this time was refusing to marry or name an heir, so Mary may have been preferred

Question 2

danger in supporting Mary for Elizabeth

Answer 2

• by supporting Mary, one was attacking a friendly protestant government in Scotland
• Mary was Elizabeth’s cousin, but it was too big of a risk

Question 3

danger in not supporting Mary for Elizabeth

Answer 3

• by not supporting her, it would be endorsing her overthrow and implying that it was acceptable to depose an anointed and lawful heir
• may backfire on Elizabeth

Question 4

Mary Queen of Scots - 1561-68

Answer 4

• Scotland was being ruled by a Protestant government when Mary returned in 1561
• in 1566 Mary married Lord Darnley and gave birth to James
• In 1567 Darnley was murdered
• Mary and the Earl of Bothwell were implicated in his death
• in favour of James, Mary was forced to abdicate
• she was then imprisoned
• the Earl of Moray became regent
• in 1568 Mary escaped and raised an army but was defeated
• she fled to England

Question 5

Rebellion against Elizabeth

Answer 5

• Northern Rebellion of 1569 aimed to marry Mary to the Duke of Norfolk
• her children with Norfolk would then be Elizabeth’s heirs
• they wanted to get rid of Elizabeth
• Many were executed after the rebellion was put down, which illustrates Elizabeth’s alarm

Question 6

Ridolfi Plot 1572

Answer 6

plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth and replace her with Mary

• hatched by Roberto Ridolfi, an international banker
• he was able to travel between Italy, Spain and Belgium to gather support
• the plot was found out and stopped

Question 7

Reasons to execute Mary

Answer 7

• England already at war with Spain, and they were planning an armada
• Mary found guilty of treason
• in the end, Mary was executed in Feb 1587

Question 8

Reasons to not execute Mary

Answer 8

• Elizabeth didn’t want to execute Mary following the babington plot
• she didn’t condone the murder of a monarch
• Mary was her cousin
• Mary’s executions would anger the catholics
• Spain could be given an excuse to invade England

Question 9

Throckmorton Plot 1583

Answer 9

• plot to get rid of Mary and replace her with Mary
• Francis Throckmorton was the key conspirator
• the plot was found out and Throckmorton was arrested in Nov 1583 and executed the next year in July
• the plan was for the Duke of Guise to invade England on behalf of the Spanish
• Guise would then marry Mary and become king
• the letter was used against Mary
• it was a key factor in the execution of Mary

Question 10

Babington Plot 1586

Answer 10

• plot to assassinate Elizabeth and replace her with Mary

- letters sent to Mary in code were decoded and as was Mary’s response which ordered them to assassinate the queen