The Ridolfi,Throckmorton And Babington Plot And Reasons For The Execution Of Mary Queen of Scots - Early Elizabethan England 1558-88 Flashcards
What plots were there to threaten Elizabeth’s throne?
- Ridolfi Plot 1571
- Throckmorton Plot 1583
- Babington Plot 1586
Who was a part of the Ridolfi plot?
Roberto Ridolfi who was an Italian banker living in England. He was also one of the Popes spies
What were the events of the Ridolfi plot 1571?
He arranged a plot to murder Elizabeth, launch a Spanish invasion and put Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne. His plot was uncovered when he was abroad and he never returned to England
What were the results/significance of the Ridolfi plot 1571?
The plot reinforced the threat placed by Mary and Catholics, and the threat to England from Spain.
Who was involved in the Throckmorton plot 1583?
A young Englishman, Francis Thockmorton
What were the events of the Throckmorton plot?
Throckmorton was to act as a go-between for Mary and Elizabeth.Although Sir Francis Walsingham (Elizabeths Secretary of State from 1573) uncovered the plot and then was arrested in November 1583 tortured then executed in May 1584
What were the results/significance of the Throckmorton plot 1583?
Life became harder for Catholics and were treated with great suspicion by the government. Many important Catholics Fled and up to 11,000 were imprisoned or kept under surveillance in a house arrest.
Who was involved in the Babington Plot?
Duke of Guise would again invade , Catholics encouraged Duke of Anthony Babington wrote to Mary about the Plot
What happened during the Babington plot?
Walsingham Intercepted the letters and deciphered the codes within them. Babington and accomplices were executed, also finally provided solid evidence about Mary’s Involvement
What was the consequence of the Babington plot?
- Elizabeth’s government became determined to crush Catholicism
- Mary finally tried by the Privy Council and sentenced to death
- Mary executed in Febuary 1587
Why was Mary,Queen of Scots executed?
- Act for the Preservation of the Queen’s safety barred Mary from the succession and allowed for her to be put on trial
- Walsingham had provided clear evidence that she was involved in plotting against Elizabeth
- Rumours of an inminent attack from Spain reinforced the threat that Mary posed
What was the significance of Mary, Queen of Scots execution?
- Impact on Elizabeth - she was very upset by the execution but it shows her harsh treatment of Catholics . An important threat removed
- Impact on English Catholics - anger by the execution, they have now lost their hope on a Catholic monarch
- Impact on relationships with Spain - already bad, made even worse by the execution. Gives Phillip II one more reason to want to remove Elizabeth
