The threat of Mary Queen of Scots Flashcards
Who is Mary Queen of Scots?
-Cousin to Elizabeth
-Escapes the Scottish Protestant reformation and turns to Elizabeth for help in 1566= put on house arrest, Elizabeth afraid due to the amount of support Mary has
-Gets involved in numerous threats + rebellions against Elizabeth
The Northern Rebellion
1569
-One of the biggest rebellions during her reign
-Triggered by Mary’s arrival in 1568
-Supported by 2 of Elizabeth’s councillors: Earl of Leicester + Sir Throckmorton
-Conspiracy to marry Mary to Duke of Norfolk + proclaim her as heir
Ridolfi Plot
1571
-Involved Mary, Phillip II, Pope + Duke of Norfolk
-Brought in 2 bills by parl: one for Mary’s execution + one barring her from succession
-1581 act redefined treason as applying to those who drew away from their queen or church–> Elizabeth reduced penalties for Catholics who wouldn’t attend church
-Planned to replace Elizabeth with Mary who’d marry Norfolk- communicated through coins
Throckmorton plot
1583
-French forces were backed by Spain and Papal money to invade England + liberate Mary
-Included Jesuit + seminary priests
-Aimed to start a Catholic uprising
-Throckmorton= executed
-1585 Act was passed making it treason to become a priest
Babington plot
-A letter from Mary endorsing Babington’s plot to murder Elizabeth
-Pressure was placed on Elizabeth to sign Mary’s death warrant; eventually signed it, William Davison had sealed it but was sent to the tower as he did it w/o her authority + Cecil = banished
-Led to her execution in 1587
Which plot was the most serious?
-The Babington plot as it was the most hard evidence they had proving Mary was involved in the plots against Elizabeth’s life
What problems did Mary pose for Elizabeth?
-Mary had claims to the English throne through her grandmother Margaret, sister of HVIII
-Possibilities of a foreign marriage–> Elizabeth suggested her to marry an English noblemen such as the Earl of Leicester; married Lord Darnley instead, an english noble who was catholic + had the same claims to the throne as Mary
-Gave Catholics an opportunity for an uprising
Why was Mary not a threat?
-She was imprisoned by Elizabeth for 19 years, being heavily guarded
-Elizabeth had Francis Walsingham who had a network of spies to protect Elizabeth from any threats–> uncovered Mary’s involvement in the Babington plot
Mary’s execution
-Elizabeth was reluctant to execute her as she feared it would spark Catholic outrage + risk infuriating foreign powers
-There was little reaction from France + Scotland to her execution
-England was already at war w/ Spain + after the execution Phillip II sped up his plans for a Spanish Armarda to invade England
-There were no more Catholic plots + Catholics lost hope of a Catholic restoration, 10% of the population remained Catholic.
