Plots against Elizabeth

Question 1

What was the Northern Earls rebellion?

Answer 1

An unsuccessful attempt by Catholic nobles from Northern England to depose Queen Elizabeth I of England and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots

Question 2

What was the Ridolfi plot?

Answer 2

A Catholic plot in 1571 to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I of England and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots

Question 3

What was the throckmorton plot

Answer 3

A conspiracy in 1583 to assassinate Elizabeth I and place Mary, Queen of Scots on the English throne, with support of the pope and Phillip II

Question 4

What was the Babington plot?

Answer 4

A conspiracy to kill the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I and replace her with her Catholic cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots

Question 5

What happened in the Northern Earls rebellion?

Answer 5

Charles Neville, Earl of Westmoreland, and Thomas Percy Earl of Northumberland began to gather their forces. In November they rode into the fortress city of Durham with over 4,500 men, stormed the cathedral and destroyed the English Bible and Protestant communion table.

Question 6

Why did the Northern Earl rebellion fail? Name 3.

Answer 6

The Duke of Norfolk was arrested and imprisoned before it began, so could not send troops to support; Philip II failed to send the soldiers that the Earls were hoping for; Mary, Queen of Scots was moved further south and heavily guarded so she could not escape and join the rebellion.

Question 7

When was the Northern Earl rebellion?

Answer 7

November, 1569

Question 8

What happened in the Ridolfi plot?

Answer 8

Ridolfi funded the plot and organised with Spain in the event of Elizabeth’s death, a Spanish invasion of England! Catholics in the North of England would rebel at the same time.

Question 9

Why did the Ridolfi plot fail?

Answer 9

However, Cecil and Walsingham’s discovery of the plot led to the execution of Norfolk in 1572.

Question 10

When was the Ridolfi plot?

Answer 10

1571

Question 11

What happened in the Throckmorton plot?

Answer 11

The plot aimed to free Mary, Queen of Scots make her queen in place of Elizabeth, and legally restore Roman Catholicism. This would be achieved by a Spanish-backed invasion of England, led by the French Duke of Guise, supported by a simultaneous revolt of English Roman Catholics. Guise would then marry Mary and become king.

Question 12

Why did the Throckmorton plot fail?

Answer 12

Walsingham heard rumours of a plot involving some Scottish Jesuits, the Spanish Ambassador de Mendoza and Mary. He discovered the link between them was a young English Catholic, Francis Throckmorton. Throckmorton was arrested and under torture confessed to a plot in which France and Spain would invade England, release Mary and make her queen. He was executed and Mary was moved to more secure accommodation at Tutbury Castle, being guarded by a strict Puritan, Sir Amias Paulet.

Question 13

When was the Throckmorton plot?

Answer 13

1583

Question 14

What happened in the Babington plot?

Answer 14

A young English Catholic nobleman, Sir Anthony Babington, became the centre of a plot to assassinate Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne

Question 15

Why did the Babington plot fail?

Answer 15

Coded letters were discovered between Babington and Mary, offering to kill Elizabeth and keeping her informed of the progress of plot. Babington and his conspirators were arrested, convicted of treason and executed. The most important consequence of the Babington Plot was the subsequent execution of Mary Queen of Scots - a hugely significant event since it involved the execution of a monarch

Question 16

When was the Babington plot?

Answer 16

1586

Question 17

What was Elizabeths excommunication?

Answer 17

Pope Pius V declared that Elizabeth was a
heretic and she was excommunicated by way of a Papal Bull (order). The Bull released Catholics from any loyalty to Elizabeth and called upon them to remove her from the throne.

Question 18

Why was the excommunication a danger to Elizabeth?

Answer 18

This was a danger to the Elizabethan Religious Settlement and could provide a reason for a Catholic uprising, possibly supported by a foreign power.

Question 19

What was the consequence of the excommunication?

Answer 19

English and Welsh Catholics preferred to keep quiet about their religious beliefs and remained loyal to Elizabeth. Parliament took no chances and in 1571 passed a series of Acts designed to protect Elizabeth from any consequences of the Papal Bull. Treason Acts made it
treason for anyone to say or write that Elizabeth was not the true Queen of England and Wales. A further act made it illegal for anyone to bring any Papal Bull into England and Wales and carry out its orders.

Question 20

What were Elizabeth’s options for Mary when she seeked refuge? Name 3.

Answer 20

Getting Mary out of the country – sending Mary back to Scotland or France could backfire, allowing her to gather more support to challenge Elizabeth. Keeping Mary imprisoned – this would reduce the risk of Mary gathering more support back in Scotland or France and allow Elizabeth to keep tight control. But unlawfully imprisoning Mary could provoke international outcry and attacks anyway. Executing Mary – whilst this would remove the figurehead for Catholic challengers, it could also provoke international attacks and set a precedent for killing a queen.

Question 21

What were the foreign effects of Mary’s death?

Answer 21

France – fearing the might of Spain, they wanted to maintain their alliance with England. Spain – were already at war with England due to the action of the ‘Sea Dogs’ and events in the Netherlands. Scotland – King James VI was on the throne of Scotland, he was Elizabeth’s heir and so he took no action.
English Catholics – remained loyal to Elizabeth.

Question 22

Which city did northern earls hold an illegal catholic mass in?

Answer 22

Durham

Question 23

How did Elizabeth deal with the northern earl rebellion?

Answer 23

Limited their power and gave their land to trusted Southern Earls.

Question 24

Who was executed for the Ridolfi plot?

Answer 24

Thomas Howard (Earl of Nolfork)

Question 25

When was Mary Queen of Scots executed?

Answer 25

8 February 1587

Question 26

Who led the spy networks?

Answer 26

Sir Francis Walsingham

Question 27

What year did Mary Queen of Scots arrive in England?

Answer 27

1568