Catholic plots against Elizabeth

• The 1570s and 1580s were dangerous decades for Elizabeth; she faced 4 big Catholics plots against her. All had the aim of getting the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne and returning England to Catholic rule
• Mary Queen of Scots had arrived in England in 1568 having fled Scotland -Due to her claim to the throne Elizabeth had no choice but to imprison her and keep her under strict surveillance - The two women never met in the 19 years Mary was in England
• What was the 1569 – Rebellion of the Northern Earls

  • The Catholic Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland hatched a plan to get Mary, Queen of Scots out of imprisonment and on to the throne 
  •  They gathered an army of 6,000 soldiers in their attempt to return England to Catholicism
• How did Elizabeth respond to the 1569 - Rebellion of the Northern Earls?

  • Elizabeth got wind of the plan and sent a huge army to crush the rebellion 
  • Elizabeth put 800 rebels to death and the two Earls fled to Scotland
• What was the 1571 - Ridolfi Plot?

  • Roberto Ridolfi, an Italian banker, planned to assassinate Elizabeth and make Mary queen.  
  • He had the support of King Philip II of Spain, the Duke of Norfolk, and Mary, Queen of Scots herself
• How did Elizabeth deal with the 1571 - Ridolfi Plot?

  • The plot was uncovered by Elizabeth’s advisor, William Cecil. 
  •  Ridolfi and the Spanish ambassador were arrested and expelled from the country, and the Duke of Norfolk was executed as a result
• What was the 1583 - Throckmorton Plot?

  • A young Catholic man, Francis Throckmorton, organised a plan for a French army to invade England and replace Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots, 
  • This was paid for by the Pope and King Philip II of Spain
• How did Elizabeth deal with the 1583 - Throckmorton Plot?

  • Throckmorton was executed  
  •  Mary was moved to Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire, where she was held in isolation and allowed no visitors
• What was the 1586 Babington Plot?

  Sir Anthony Babington planned to rescue Mary, Queen of Scots from jail and murder Elizabeth
• How did Elizabeth deal with the 1586 - Babington Plot

  • Secret letters between the plotters and Mary were discovered which gave the evidence needed to prove Mary’s guilt 
  • This finally led to the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, Babington and six other plotters