How serious were the Catholic threats against Elizabeth?

• The Ridolfi Plot:

  > Roberto Ridolfi had the support of King Philip II of Spain and the Duke of Norfolk.
• The Ridolfi Plot:

  > The plan was for 6,000 Spanish troops to land in Essex and initiate the rebellion.
• The Ridolfi Plot:

  > Elizabeth’s intelligence network discovered the conspiracy before it could take place.
• The Ridolfi Plot:

  > Norfolk was charged with treason and executed in 1572.
• The Throckmorton Plot:

  > A leading Catholic, Francis Throckmorton, organised a plan for a French army to invade England and replace Elizabeth with Mary QoS.
• The Throckmorton Plot:

  > Walsingham discovered what was happening. Throckmorton was placed under surveillance. He was then arrested, convicted of high treason and executed in July 1584.
• The Babington Plot:

  > Mary QoS began a secret correspondence with the French Ambassador, Sir Anthony Babington.
• The Babington Plot:

  > By mid-1586, a plot to kill Elizabeth and free Mary had been devised.
• The Babington Plot:

  > Walsingham knew all about the letters. He allowed the exchange of letters to continue so he could allow the plot to unfold and entrap Mary.
• The Babington Plot:

  > On 17th July 1586, Mary wrote a coded letter approving of the plot.
• The Babington Plot:

  > The following month Babington was arrested and in September 1586 he and 6 other conspirators were hung, drawn and quartered.
• The Babington Plot:

  > Elizabeth gave in to pressure and signed Mary’s death warrant in February 1587.