MOCKS- Plot And Mary I Execution

Question 1

Three reasons why Catholic plots posed real threat to Elizabeth

Answer 1

1. Mary’s presence in England and her strong claim to the throne. Gave credibility to the plots.
2. As head of CC, the Pope could rally internal support for the plots. For some Catholics, obdedience to him was more important than obedience to Elizabeth.
3. Foreign powers, especially France and Spain, were involved in the plots, so there was a dnager of a foreign invasion. They were richer, more people and both Catholic.

Question 2

Three main weaknesses of the plots

Answer 2

1. Elizabeth was a popular ruler and conspirators lacked public support. As the failure of the Revolt of the Northern Earls had shown consequences and little apetite for Catholic Revolution in England.
2. Philip II was reluctant to destroy his alliance with Elizabeth. As a result, his support for the Catholic plots was half-hearted, and although promised to help, rarely followed through
3. Elizabeth’s informants, and later Walsingham’s highly efficient spy network, ensured that the plots were uncovered before they could be put into action

Question 3

When was the Babington plot?

Answer 3

1586

Question 4

What happened in the Babington Plot of 1586 until its discovery?

Answer 4

• The conspirators planned to assassinate Elizabeth and give the English throne to Mary, this time with the support of a joint Franco-Spanish invasion force.
• Anthony Babington, one of the key conspirators, was rensponsible for sending information to Mary from her supporters in England and Europe, and passing back her replies.

Question 5

How was the Babington Plot discovered and foiled?

Answer 5

-Through Walsingham’s spy network, he followed every stage of the plot. Using a double-agent, he managed to secretly intercept all letters sent to and from Mary, and have them decoded.
One of Mary’s letters approved plans to assassinate Elizabeth and free Mary from prison.
-By August 1586, Walsingham had all the evidence he needed to break the plot. Babington and the other conspirators were arrested, tried for treason, and executed.

Question 6

Why was Elizabeth very reluctant to execute Mary?

Answer 6

Because she was Queen of Scotland. Elizabeth believed in the Divine Right-that rukers were sent by God to govern their country. She felt she then had no right to execute a legitamite monarch. She also feared that executing Mary would undermine her own claime to the Divine Right and might fuel more plots against her.

Question 7

Events of and leading up to Mary’s execution?

Answer 7

• Mary had been implicated in Catholic plots before, but Elizabeth had always been reluctant to execute her. The evidence gathered by Walsingham finally persuaded her to put Mary on trial.
• In October 1586, Mary was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death
• After hesitating for several months, Elizabeth eventually signed Mary’s death warrant. The execution took place on 8th February 1587

Question 8

What two main effects did Mary’s execution have?

Answer 8

• Reduced threat from Catholics at home

- Increased the threat from abroad

Question 9

How did Mary’s execution reduce the threat from Catholics at home?

Answer 9

-English Catholics now had no-one to rally around, no legitimate heir. They had lost hope of ever overthrowing Elizabeth and reversing the religious settlement. There were no more major Catholic plots during Elizabeth’s reign.

Question 10

How did Mary’s execution increase the threat from abroad?

Answer 10

• It angered Catholic opposition abroad and increased the threat of a foreign invasion
• In 1587, relations with Spain were at a low poiny, the two countries were at war over the Netherlands and Philip II had been preparing for an attack on England since 1585 and this made everything worse and made him even more determined to invade
• Danger that Mary’s son, Jame VI of Scotland might seek revenge. There were fears that he would for, an alliance with other Catholic powers in Europe in order to invade England.