The Catholic Challenge

• In the early years of Elizabeth’s reign, the Roman Catholic threat was limited - despite initial fears, there was little evidence of foreign support for a crusade
• At home, many Catholics attended services but maintained their inward beliefs - few refused to go to church; however, the situation changed after the arrival of Mary Stuart in 1568 in England
• Mary Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate the Scottish throne and imprisoned, she escaped and came to England; this was threatening as Mary was both an anointed queen and had a claim to the English throne - yet if Elizabeth sent her back she might be killed, or if she regained her power she might attack England, but in England, she could build up support and challenge Elizabeth’s position
• Northern Earls Rebellion 1569-70; Elizabeth's concerns about Mary were right as within a year of her arrival Catholic earls, Northumberland and Westmorland led a rising; Mass restored in Durham briefly and Mary's claim proposed
• Papal Excommunication (1570), Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth in the Regnans in Excelsis, so Catholics absolved from recognising Elizabeth as Queen
• Robert Ridolfi and Spanish ambassador plotted to marry Mary to Duke of Norfolk and put her on the throne (1571) and Francis Throckmorton and Spanish ambassador plotted to kill Elizabeth (1583)
• Anthony Babington plotted to kill Elizabeth and make England Catholic (1586), also St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre and William of Orange assassination in Europe threatened Protestantism
• Parliament established a Bond of Association in 1584 for execution of plotters and England signed Treaty of Berwick with Scotland in 1586, promising James VI a pension if they remained friendly
• Privy Council pressured Elizabeth to execute Mary in 1586 which finally happened in 1587; Catholicism was a threat due to links with European monarchs and papacy, but English Catholics insufficient to threaten Elizabeth
• Elizabeth's hopes for Catholicism's natural decline were hindered by William Allen's determination; he established a seminary in Douai to train priests for England, who could give the sacraments and administer rites; the first priests arrived in 1574, and Cuthbert Mayne executed in 1577 for treason (indicating success)
• The Jesuits emerged in the 1580s, leading to an Act (1581) increasing recusancy fines to £20 per month and making it treasonable to recognise Rome's authority, in 1585 being an ordained Catholic priest was treason
• About 100 seminary priests arrived before 1580, 179 arrived in the next five years, 24 of whom were executed, total of 650 Jesuits and seminary priests arrived, with 133 executed as traitors
• Their achievements are a subject of controversy among historians, with some arguing they focused on the Southeast and Gentry households others argue through this they kept the faith alive
• Problems facing Catholics: Elizabeth's longevity meant Catholicism was dying out, government legislation fines, trees and acts limited the appeal and they lacked efficient support from abroad
• Problems facing Catholics: There was a shortage of Catholic priests to keep the faith alive; as they died they were not replaced, some Catholics went abroad also the execution of Mary Queen of Scots removed the figurehead (1587)
• Problems facing Catholics: The defeat of the Spanish Armada, social pressures to conform, recusancy fines were £20 a month in 1581, and it was treason to recognize the authority of Rome
• Problems facing Catholics: In 1585 it was made treasonable to be an ordained Catholic priest (led to 113 executions), also the strength of Elizabeth's government in stopping/preventing plots - Walsingham's spy network