Plots and revolts at home Flashcards
Threats Elizabeth faced at the start of 1570
ENGLISH CATHOLICS
Suspicious after the revolt of Northern earls
1570 the pope freed Catholics from their duty to overthrow Elizabeth
SPAIN
Phillip 2 was a strict catholic and he wanted to get rid of protestants he also had a large force and empire
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
She was in many plots to get rid of Elizabeth she had a legitimate claim to the throne and Mary family was very powerful and formed a catholic league against Protestantism in France.
Reasons for the Revolt of the Northern earls 1569
Earls and their followers wanted Catholicism
Earls lost their position and their influence as Elizabeth gave position to other low nobility men
Refused to get married so there was a concern of England’s future
Key members in the revolt of the Northern earls
P1
Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland
Catholic, had a good position but was lost as Elizabeth gave it to someone else. Lost the right to a newly discovered copper mine on his land by the queen in 1567
Charles Neville Earl of Westmoreland
Came from an important catholic family. Duke of Norfolk brother in law
Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk
Protestant, England most senior nobles he didn’t like the new people William Cecil.
Key members in the revolt of the Norther earls
P2
Mary queen of scots
Wanted English throne and wanted to marry Duke of Norfolk but he backed down
Jane Neville
Wife of Charles Neville sister of Duke of Norfolk. Encouraged her brother to get married so she could be the sister in law of the queen
Ann Percy
Wife of Thomas Percy, encouraged her husband in the rebellion
James Pilkington
Archbishop of Durham in 1561
He went to more protestants in the north but all he did was make people go against him
He was unpopular but was known as important clergy men
Mary queen of scots and succession
If Elizabeth dies there would be no heir
England could be in a civil war
Mary was going to get married to Norfolk and Elizabeth court people knew this
Elizabeth courtiers thought Mary and Duke of Norfolk kids would be protestant because Norfolk was BUT they could get married because nobilities families had to have consent from the queen
Plan for the revolt of northern earls
Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland will raise rebel force and take over Durham
Rebels march South towards London with Duke of Norfolk
Spanish troops will help rebels
Norfolk & rebels will seize London and overthrow eilz
Mary and Norfolk get married and take English throne
Key events of revolt
When Elizabeth found out she arrested Norfolk and was sent to the Tower of London on 1 November 1569
Northumberland and Westmoreland took Durham because James fled to south and destroyed Protestantism and celebrated mass.
Rebellion failed Spain’s troops never came and Elizabeth raised an army
450 Rebels were executed through out Northern England to scare others to nor form a rebellion.
Westmoreland escaped but Northumberland was captured and executed in 1572 many said kill Norfolk but he was released meanwhile Mary was in captivity for the next 14 years.
In 1570 the pope issued a written ordered to overthrow Elizabeth he thought this would have caused another rebellion which it didn’t. In April 1571 parliament widened the definition of treason and writing papal bulls were banned.
Significance of the Revolt of a northern earl
Treason law became harsher
Ended the power of Percy and Neville families
Harsh treatment for Catholics
Ridolfi plot 1571
Roberto Ridolfi Italian banker ,one of the Popes spies
In 1571 he arranged a plot to murder to murder Elizabeth, Invade Spain and put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne.
Ridolfi left England to discuss the plot. He had a letter signed by Duke of Norfolk saying he is now Catholic and would lead the rebellion if Phillip 2 helped. Phillip told Alba to prepare 10,000 men to go to England if necessary.
Sir William Cecil uncovered the plot by autumn 1571 and had enough evidence Norfolk was plotting against the queen again so he was executed on June 1572 but Ridolfi was abroad so he was never executed
Mary was not executed Elizabeth didn’t wan to take action.
Ridolfi significance
Threat from Spain made Elizabeth focus on improvement of relations with France
Reinforced threat to England because of Duke of Albas presence, Spain’s intension towards Elizabeth increased
Priest and priest holes
Catholic priest were smuggled into England from 1574
They travelled undercover staying with other catholic families .When Government found out they raided he homes and captured, executed and quartered the Catholics. When raided some homes had priest holes were they would hide in if anyone came.
1581 parliament passed a law saying that recusants would have to pay a £20 fine and attempt to convert people to Catholicism was now treason
Throckmorton plot 1583
This was planned for the French Duke of Guise(Mary cousin)
Invade England, free Mary and overthrow Elizabeth
Phillip provide financial support the pope knew and approved.
In 1573 Plot was uncovered by Sir Francis Walsingham he found papers of the plot in his house and he was executed on May 1584.
Babington Plot 1586
Similar to Throckmorton’s plot Duke of Guise would raid England and get Mary on the throne
Anthony Babington was writing to Mary but her letters were intercepted by Sir William Cecil and he found out about the plot and and executed all the people who were involved i.
Mary was executed as her name was always involved in the plot and was executed on 8 Feb
Babington plot
Mary being executed didn’t worry Elizabeth any more or England having a catholic heir
Elizabeth’s government became determined to crush Catholicism
England and Spain’s relations broke down but were aiding the Dutch protestants in a rebellion against Spain
