The Catholic Threat

• Who expelled Elizabeth from the Catholic Church?

  The Pope
• In what year was Elizabeth excommunicated?

  1570
• What did Elizabeth's excommunication mean for Catholics?

  Catholics no longer had to obey her
• What was the intended effect of Elizabeth's excommunication?

  To strengthen the Northern Rebellion
• How did Elizabeth's excommunication affect her view of Catholics?

  She saw them as potential traitors
• What was the response of Elizabeth's government to the excommunication?

  Less tolerance of recusancy by Catholics
• What legislation did Parliament pass in response to the excommunication?

  The Treasons Act in 1571
• What was the consequence under the Treasons Act for claiming Elizabeth wasn't the legitimate ruler?

  Death penalty
• What was the relationship between the Northern Rebellion and Elizabeth's excommunication?

  The excommunication aimed to strengthen the rebellion
• What were the implications of Elizabeth's excommunication for her reign?

  • Catholics encouraged to overthrow her
  • Viewed Catholics as potential traitors
  • Increased government intolerance towards recusancy
  • Treasons Act imposed severe penalties
• Who founded a missionary college at Douai in 1568?

  William Allen
• What was the purpose of the missionary college founded by William Allen?

  To train English Catholic priests
• When did the first missionary priest reach England?

  1574
• Which two missionaries entered England in 1580?

  Robert Parsons and Edmund Campion
• What happened to Edmund Campion in December 1581?

  He was executed for treason
• Why did Elizabeth tolerate recusancy in the 1560s?

  She believed Catholicism would fade away
• How did the arrival of missionary priests from the 1570s affect English Catholicism?

  It made Catholicism less likely to fade away
• Why was the strengthening of Catholicism a major threat?

  It threatened the established religious settlement
• Parliament passed two anti-Catholic acts

  In response to the threat from missionary priests, Parliament passed two anti-Catholic Acts in 1581. These Acts:

  . Massively increased the fines for recusancy, making them too expensive for most ordinary Catholics.

  . Introduced fines and prison sentences for people who said or attended Catholic Mass.

  . Made it treason (which was punishable by death) to convert to Catholicism or persuade others to convert.

  . Introduced prison sentences and the death penalty for anyone who encouraged rebellion.
• What was the aim of the Catholic plots against Elizabeth?

  To put Mary on the English throne
• What years did the Catholic plots to assassinate Elizabeth occur?

  Between 1571 and 1585
• Name one of the plots aimed at assassinating Elizabeth.

  Ridolfi Plot
• What did the letters sent by Mary implicate her in?

  The Ridolfi Plot
• Why did Elizabeth refuse to execute Mary after the Ridolfi Plot?

  She saw Mary as a legitimate monarch
• Who supported the Catholic plots against Elizabeth?

  The Pope and Catholic rulers
• Which Catholic ruler was particularly involved in the plots?

  King Philip II of Spain
• Why were the plots considered a real threat to Elizabeth's rule?

  Mary's claim to the throne made them credible
• What was a potential consequence of Philip II's involvement in the plots?

  Risk of a Spanish invasion
• Did any of the Catholic plots succeed?

  No, none succeeded
• What factor contributed to the failure of the plots?

  Little public support for a Catholic revolution
• Who established a spy network to uncover the plots?

  Francis Walsingham
• What was the purpose of the spy network established by Walsingham?

  To uncover plots before they were carried out
• What was the motivation of missionary priests regarding the Catholic plots?

  • Wanted England to return to Catholicism
  • Believed Elizabeth's removal was necessary
• What event in 1584 increased the persecution of Catholics?

  Assassination of William the Silent
• Why did the government become more concerned about Catholics after 1584?

  Due to William's assassination and Catholic plots
• What was the consequence of the assassination of William the Silent?

  Increased persecution of Catholics in England
• What were the new laws passed by Parliament in 1585 regarding Catholics?

  • Mary, Queen of Scots, barred from the throne
  • Missionary priests had 40 days to leave or face execution
• What was the fate of priests who did not leave England within 40 days?

  They could be executed
• What was the purpose of the law barring Mary, Queen of Scots, from the throne?

  To stop plots involving her assassination
• How many Catholic priests were executed due to anti-Catholic laws of 1582 and 1585?

  More than 120 priests