1571- ridolfi plot

• Leaders

  • Roberto Ridolfi - Italian banker from Florence and a spy for the Pope
  • Phillip II of Spain
  • Duke of Alba - leader of Spanish army in Netherlands
• the plan

  1. Murder Elizabeth

  2. Send Spanish troops to invade England

  3. Marry Duke of Norfolk to Mary, Queen of Scots

  4. Rebels seize control of the government and overthrow Elizabeth I

  5. Mary, Queen of Scots, marries Norfolk and is crowned Queen of England
• Key events

  • March 1571 ridolfi discuses plot with pope, phillip ll and alba. rudolf has signed letter from norfolk declaring he would lead the rebellion
  • phillip told alba to prepare invasion of 10,000 to support the plot
  • august 1571 sir William Cecil uncovers plot through decoding letters that proved Norfolk’s involvement
• after math

  • norfolk arrested and executed June 1572
  • parliament demand Mary QOS executed but Elizabeth refused
• Significance

  • Reinforced catholic threat
  • reinforced threat against England from spain