Throckmorton Plot

• Plan:

  • French Duke of Guise (cousin of Mary QoS) to invade England
  • Free Mary
  • Overthrow Elizabeth
  • Restore Catholicism in England
• • Phillip II would provide financial aid
  • Throckmorton would be messenger to Mary
  • Pope knew and approved of plans
• • Francis Walshingham (Secretary of State) uncovered plot through Throckmorton's papers
  • Throckmorton executed in 1584
• • The plot was in 1583
• Significance:

  • Emphasised threat of foreign Catholic powers, English Catholics and Mary
  • Showed potential threat of Spain and France if they were to combine forces
  • Life became harder for Catholics and were treated with suspicion
  • Many important Catholics fled England after plot
  • Became punishable by death to shelter Catholic priests in 1585