Mary Queen of Scots and Catholic Threats

Mary Queen of Scots and Catholic Threats

Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots was Elizabeth's cousin and the greatest single threat to her throne. Mary's presence in England from 1568 to 1587 created a focal point for Catholic plots and foreign intrigue that ultimately led to her execution.

Mary's Background

• Born 8 December 1542; became Queen of Scotland at six days old when her father James V died.
• Raised in France; married the French Dauphin Francis (later King Francis II) in 1558. When he died in 1560, she returned to Scotland.
• Mary was a Catholic ruling a country that had become Protestant under the influence of the reformer John Knox.
• In 1565, she married her cousin Lord Darnley — arrogant and unpopular. Their son, James, was born in 1566 (he would later become James I of England).
• Darnley was murdered in February 1567 (his house was blown up; he was strangled in the garden). Mary then married the Earl of Bothwell, the chief suspect. This caused a rebellion by Scottish nobles.
• Mary was forced to abdicate in favour of her infant son James (July 1567). She fled to England in May 1568, seeking Elizabeth's protection.

The Problem of Mary

Mary's arrival in England created an impossible dilemma for Elizabeth:

• Mary was a Catholic claimant to the English throne — in Catholic eyes, she had a better claim than Elizabeth (who Catholics considered illegitimate, as they did not recognise Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn).
• Elizabeth could not send Mary back to Scotland (she would be executed), send her to France (she would raise a Catholic army), or set her free (she would become a rallying point for Catholic rebellion).
• Elizabeth's solution was to keep Mary as a prisoner — she was held in various castles and houses in England for 19 years (1568-1587).

Catholic Plots Against Elizabeth

Mary became the focus of numerous Catholic plots to assassinate Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne:

The Revolt of the Northern Earls (1569)

• Catholic nobles in northern England (the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland) planned to free Mary, marry her to the Duke of Norfolk, and restore Catholicism.
• Around 6,000 rebels marched south, celebrating Catholic Mass in Durham Cathedral.
• The rebellion collapsed when Elizabeth's forces approached. Over 700 rebels were executed. The Earl of Northumberland was later beheaded.

The Ridolfi Plot (1571)

• Roberto Ridolfi, an Italian banker, planned a Spanish invasion to put Mary on the throne, with the Duke of Norfolk leading an English Catholic uprising.
• The plot was uncovered by William Cecil. Norfolk was executed in 1572 — the only nobleman Elizabeth executed.

The Throckmorton Plot (1583)

• Francis Throckmorton acted as a go-between for Mary and the Spanish ambassador. The plan involved a French invasion backed by Spain and the Pope.
• Uncovered by Walsingham's spy network. Throckmorton was tortured and executed.

The Babington Plot (1586)

• Anthony Babington corresponded with Mary, planning Elizabeth's assassination and a Catholic uprising supported by Spain.
• Walsingham intercepted the letters (smuggled in beer barrels) and allowed the correspondence to continue until Mary explicitly approved the plan to kill Elizabeth.
• Mary wrote a letter supporting the plot — this was the evidence needed to put her on trial.

The Execution of Mary Queen of Scots

• Mary was tried at Fotheringhay Castle in October 1586 and found guilty of treason.
• Elizabeth hesitated for months before signing the death warrant — executing an anointed queen set a dangerous precedent.
• Mary was executed on 8 February 1587. She went to her death wearing a red petticoat (the Catholic colour of martyrdom) and declaring herself a martyr for her faith.
• Elizabeth claimed she had not intended the warrant to be carried out and blamed her Secretary William Davison (who was imprisoned).

Key Exam Points

• Understand why Mary was such a threat — she was Catholic, had a claim to the throne, and was supported by foreign powers.
• Know the key plots and the role of Walsingham in uncovering them.
• Be able to evaluate why Elizabeth took so long to execute Mary — the political risks of executing a fellow queen.