why did plots against Elizabeth fail? Flashcards
spies:
she had a huge network of spies to quickly identify threats
Sir Francis Walsingham was a spymaster
a skilled politician:
Elizabeth was good at getting her own way
dealt with Parliament with great skill- allowed MP’s and Lords to feel they had great influence while still showing who had the final say
religious settlement:
kept the majority of people happy
religious differences were mostly tolerated
unconvincing alternatives:
lack of a popular alternative monarch- most rebellions could not gain support
Mary was not trusted- blamed for her husbands death and his wife had sent many Protestants to be burnt
most people (including Catholics) preferred an English Queen to a foreign ruler
punishment:
Elizabeth rarely showed mercy to traitors- there were clear consequences for potential rebels
rebels were tortured and brutally executed
Elizabeth even executed her own cousin (MQOS) and her former favourite, Earl of Essex
