Throckmorton Plot

• Aim

  Francis Throckmorton planned to free Mary, assassinate Elizabeth and take over England to restore Catholicism.
• Support


  Spain, Pope (issued a Papal Bull against Elizabeth in 1570), French Duke of Guise.
• Who discovered the plot

  Francis Walsingham - Elizabeth's Spymaster - found letters from Throckmorton to Pope.
• Plan

  • Duke of Guise to invade England with support of Phillip II and the Pope.
  • At the same time, Catholic rebellion was to happen in the North to free Mary, capture and kill Elizabeth and place Mary as Queen.
  • Restore Catholicism.
• Outcome

  November 1583 - Throckmorton arrested & brought to trial.

  Convicted of high treason.

  20th July 1584 - Sir Francis Throckmorton is executed by hanging, drawing and quartering.
• Consequences

  • Bond of Association - Anyone involved in plots against Elizabeth wouldn't benefit from her death.
  • Relationship further weakened between Spain and England.
  • Spanish Ambassador expelled from England.
• In the Throckmorton Plot, MQS was in on receiving letters but there was no evidence of her sending any.