The Elizabethan Age (1558 - 1603) - The Catholic Threat Flashcards
Who was Edmund Campion?
He studied at Oxford University
In 1560 he took the Oath of Supremacy
When visiting Oxford, he received William Cecil’s patronage
1573 - joined Jesuits
1578 - ordained as a Jesuit Priest
1581 - arrested and sent to the Tower of London where he was tortured and then hanged
What is recusancy?
Refusal to go to Church, associated with extreme Catholicism
Elizabeth fined them £20
Recusant, refusant
Who were Seminary Priests?
They were Roman Catholic Priests who were trained in seminaries. They trained in Douai in Flanders
When they returned to England they re established the Catholic faith
There were 438 in England
Only 98 were caught and sentenced to death
Who was a Jesuit?
Members of the Roman Catholic missionary order, ‘The Society of Jesus’
They swore an oath of allegiance to the Pope and were prepared to die for the cause
They wanted to spread the Catholic faith
How did the Government respond to recusants, Seminary priests and Jesuits?
1581 - Two Acts were passed increasing fines for recusancy and made any attempt to convert people to Catholicism a treasonable offence
1585 - an Act of Parliament ordered all Jesuits and Seminary Priests to leave the country ir be killed slong with anyone helping them
1593 - Forbade large gatherings of Catholics and confined to 5 miles from their home
What was Mary, Queen of Scots’ early life?
Born in 1542 to Mary of Guise and James V of Scotland. She became Queen at six days old after her father died, her mother was her regent. In 1548 she was sent to be brought up in Catholic France. She was 15 when she married Prince Francis, who became King in 1559. He died the following year.
What happened when Mary returned to Scotland in 1561?
Scotland had become a predominantly Protestant nation. Protestant lords had rebelled against the government and Mary of Guise had been forced to flee Edinburgh. Elizabeth had been forced to conclude the Treaty of Berwick in 1560, sending an English army north to help defeat the French. Following Mary of Guise’s death in 1560, French troops withdrew but Mary was still ruling a Protestant Scotland.
What was Mary’s marriage to Lord Darnley like?
In 1565, Mary married Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley and in June 1566 gave birth to a child who would later become King James VI of Scotland. They were unhappy and in March 1566 Darnley and a group of friends murdered Rizzio who Mary had got friendly with.
What happened after Rizzio’s death?
Mary became friendly with James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell. Darnley fell ill with smallpox and she nursed him daily at a large house in Edinburgh. On 9th Feb 1567 Mary attended a wedding. She returned to find the house blown up and Darnley strangled. Bothwell was put on trial for murder but found not guilty. Three months later Mary married Bothwell. She was imprisoned by Protestant Lords and forced to abdicate. Bothwell fled to Scandinavia and in May 1568 May escaped and fled to England.
What problems did Mary being in England cause Elizabeth?
English Catholics or Spain or France May attempt to free Mary
She could not send Mary back to Scotland because she would be responsible for Scottish Protestants murdering Mary.
English and Scottish Catholics are more likely to rebel against Elizabeth
She was a threat to the throne as a legitimate child
Catholic Spain or France May attack Elizabeth
Mary was the centre of Catholic plots
If Mary became Queen, Protestants would be angry
Mary could convert England back to Catholicism
What were Elizabeth’s options?
Keep Mary prisoner where she could keep a close eye on her but run the risk of France or Spain freeing her
Send Mary back to Scotland where the threat of a Catholic uprising in England would be removed but Elizabeth would be responsible for handing over a fellow Queen
Execute Mary so Catholics would no longer have a figurehead but Elizabeth could be attacked
Help Mary to regain her throne appeasing the Catholics but Protestants would be angry
Acknowledge Mary as heir to the throne appeasing Catholics but revert England to Catholicism
Allow Mary to go to France which would remove her as a threat but she might persuade France to invade
What was the Rebellion of the Northern Earls in 1569?
In Nov 1569, Northern Earls gathered 4,600 men from Northern England and marched to Durham, aiming to go South. Elizabeth sent a force to fight them led by the Earl of Sussex. Northern Earls abandoned their plan and fled to Scotland in Jan 1570.
What caused the Rebellion of the Northern Earls?
Northern Earls wanted Mary on the throne and to get Mary to marry Duke of Norfolk
Elizabeth learned of the plan and stopped it
Duke of Norfolk sent to Tower of London
Elizabeth asked to see Northern Earls
Who was involved in the Rebellion of the Northern Earls?
Charles Neville, Earl of Westmorland (Catholic)
Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland (Catholic)
Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk (Catholic)
Mary, Queen of Scots
Elizabeth I
Why did the Rebellion of the Northern Earls fail?
Poor planning and leadership
No enthusiasm to replace Elizabeth
Lack of foreign support
