The Babington Plot - 1586

• 1) The Duke of Guise would invade England, murder Elizabeth and put Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne. Philip II and the pope supported the plot.
• 2) Anthony Babington, a Catholic, wrote to Mary in July 1586 about the conspiracy.
• 3) Sir Francis Walsingham intercepted and read Babington’s letters to Mary, which clearly demonstrated her awareness of, support for and involvement in the conspiracy.
• 4) Babington and the plotters were sentenced to death and hanged, drawn and quartered.
• 5) In October 1586, Mary was sentenced to death for her part in the plot. Elizabeth delayed, but signed Mary’s death warrant in February 1587. Mary was beheaded shortly afterwards.
• Why was the Babington Significant?

  • Elizabeth’s situation was more precarious than with previous plots.
  • By 1585, England and Spain were virtually at war.
  • Elizabeth’s government became determined to crush the Catholic threat.
  • The persecution of Catholics intensified. In 1585, 11000 Catholics were imprisoned or placed under house arrest. Thirty-one priests were executed across the country in 1586.
  • The plot led to the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, ending any hope of replacing Elizabeth with a Catholic heir.