The Catholic Threat

Question 1

What religious problem did Elizabeth face at the start of her reign?

Answer 1

Most people were Catholic - she had the difficult task of implementing the Religious Settlement

Question 2

What/who were two major threats in terms of religion?

Answer 2

Elizabeth expected opposition/ intervention from the foreign Catholic world
Mary Stuart was a serious threat - she possessed the strongest claim to the English throne and acted as a potential leader of English Catholics against Elizabeth

Question 3

At the beginning of the reign where did the biggest Catholic threat come from?

Answer 3

Bishops in the house of Lords - provided main obstacle for the passage of religious settlement through parliament

Question 4

What was Elizabeth’s policy like towards catholics in the beginning of her reign?

Answer 4

Adopted a moderate policy (partially out of fear of France and Spain)
Period of 1558 -1568 saw little persecution of the Catholics - also lack of action from the Pope as Philip persuaded him that England could be won back to Catholicism

Question 5

What did the new Pope Pius V do?

Answer 5

Made papal opposition to Elizabeth more hostile

Question 6

What was the Rebellion of the Northern Earls?

Answer 6

Mary Stuart arrived in England 1568 - strong claim
Northern earl tried to overthrow E and replace her with Mary who was to marry Duke of N (giving her power in England)
Rebellion began when both Earls called to London to face charges on this matter
Lacked organisation

Question 7

What almost coincided with the northern rebellion and what was the problem with the timing?

Answer 7

The Pope issued a papal bull declaring Elizabeth excommunicated from the Catholic Church (to encourage England and Europe to take up arms against Elizabeth)
Bull was issued on 22nd Feb 1570 - after the rebellion had collapsed

Question 8

When did the second part of the Northern rebellion take place and what was it?

Answer 8

January 1570 - Lord Dacre raised 3000 troops before he was defeated in the battle of Naworth - many rebels escaped to Scotland including then Earl of Northumberland (executed two years later)
E ordered the execution of 700 rebels but 450 met their fate

Question 9

Why cant the Northern Earl uprising be viewed as totally religious?

Answer 9

Also attacking Cecil’s foreign policy and his central control (interference in the north)

Question 10

What was the 1585 response to the influx in priests?

Answer 10

Act against Jesuits, seminary priests and other disobedient persons - mad any Catholic Priests guilty by treason (146 Catholics executed 1586-1604 and 123 convicted using this act)

Question 11

Who were Jesuits and when did they arrive?

Answer 11

Highly educated and motivated Catholic priests who aimed to win England back to Catholicism
First four seminary/ missionary priests arrived in 1574 and by 1580 number = 100
Their influence is heavily debated - relied on support of Catholic gentry

Question 12

How strong was Catholicsm in 1603?

Answer 12

It had survived despite government action (180 Catholics executed for treason 1580-1603)
By 1603 the Catholic community was served by around 400 seminary priests and 12 Jesuits in England

Question 13

What increased during Elizabeth’s reign?

Answer 13

Recusancy e.g. East Riding of Yorkshire - 40 adult recusants and 70 others that refused to take part in communion

Question 14

What was the problem with Catholicism at the end of E’s reign?

Answer 14

Although it survived it wasn’t united - differences between Appellants and Jesuits
Appellants wanted Catholicism to be tolerated and Jesuits wanted a full restoration of Catholicism
As well as the Archbishop Controversy (split between seminary priests and Jesuits from 1594)

Question 15

What was the Ridolfi plot?

Answer 15

1571 - Following Elizabeth’s excommunication an uprising was planned to replace Elizabeth with Mary who would be married to Norfolk - the plan involved Mary, Philip II, the Pope, the Duke of Norfolk and other English noblemen - plan soon discovered by Cecil

Question 16

What were the consequences of the Ridolfi plot?

Answer 16

Parliament brought in two bills, one calling for Mary’s execution and one barring her from the succession
Two acts passed - one preventing anyone bringing Papal Bulls into the country and making it high treason to deny Elizabeth her title as Queen
Elizabeth finally agreed to Norfolk’s execution but would not consider Mary’s
E reduced the penalties for those Catholics who would not attend church

Question 17

What was the Throckmorton plot?

Answer 17

Plans were laid for French Catholic forces, backed by Spanish and papal money to invade England, liberate Mary and start a Catholic uprising - also involved some Jesuit and Seminary priests

Question 18

What were the outcomes of the Throckmorton plot?

Answer 18

1583 Throckmorton was tortured and then executed
Spanish ambassador expelled
1585 - act ordering expulsion of Catholic Priests passed - treason to be a priest and death penalty for those hiding them

Question 19

What was the Babington plot?

Answer 19

1586 A letter, allegedly dictated by Mary and endorsing Babington’s plot to murder Elizabeth, was intercepted by Walsingham’s agents

Question 20

What were the results of the Babington plot?

Answer 20

Privy Council persuaded E that Mary must be brought to trial
E ordered that Babington and his conspirators must be hanged
E eventually signed the death warrant and Mary was killed - E was upset and consequently banished Cecil