the Ridolfi plot

• 1) Robert Ridolfi was an Italian baker who lived in England and worked as a spy for the pope.
• 2) In 1571, Ridolfi plotted to murder Elizabeth, start a Spanish invasion and put Mary Queen Of Scots on the throne. Mary would then marry the Duke of Norfolk.
• 3) In March 1571, Ridolfi traveled to the Netherlands (which at that point was Spanish controlled ) to discuss the plot with the pope, Philip II and the Duke of Alba. Ridolfi had a letter signed by the Duke of Norfolk in which Norfolk declared himself a catholic and pledged to lead the rebellion with Phillip II support.
• 4) Phillip II instructed the duke of Alba to prepare 10,000 troops to send across the English channel in support of the revolt.
• 5) Sir William Cecil discovered the plot and by autumn 1571 was able to prove that Norfolk was guilty of high treason. Ridolfi remained abroad and never returned to England.
• 6) When Parliament reconvened in May 1572, it demanded the execution of Norfolk and Mary Queen Of Scots. Elizabeth signed Norfolk's death warrant leading to his execution in June 1572. Yet Elizabeth was reluctant to punish Mary and even refused to remove her from succession.

  Elizabeth had to proceed carefully as executing Mary would further anger Catholics and possibly unite France and Spain (Europe's two biggest catholic monarchies) against her.