Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots had a strong, legitimate claim to the English throne. To some Catholics, her claim was better than Elizabeth's.

Mary's claim to the throne

Mary’s presence in England was a problem. She was next in line to the throne, favoured by Catholics, while Elizabeth was refusing to marry or name an heir.

The danger of supporting Mary

Supporting Mary would mean attacking a friendly Protestant government in Scotland. Mary was her cousin, but it was too big a risk.

The danger of not supporting Mary

Not supporting Mary would be endorsing her overthrow and implying that it was acceptable to depose an anointed, lawful monarch.

The Problem of Mary Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots had a strong, legitimate claim to the English throne. To some Catholics, her claim was better than Elizabeth’s.

Mary's flight to England

When Catholic Mary Queen of Scots returned in 1561, Scotland was being ruled by a Protestant government.
Mary married Lord Darnley and gave birth to an heir, James, in 1566.
Darnley was murdered in 1567. Mary and her lover, the Earl of Bothwell, were implicated.
Mary was forced to abdicate in favour of James, then imprisoned. The Earl of Moray became regent.
Mary escaped in 1568, raised an army but was defeated. She fled to England.

Rebellion against Elizabeth I

The Northern Rebellion of 1569 aimed to marry Mary, Queen of Scots to the Duke of Norfolk. Her children with Norfolk would be Elizabeth’s heirs.
The aims of the plot developed into deposing Elizabeth I.
Catholic Earls from northern England led thousands of ordinary Catholics in rebellion, seizing Durham.
The Northern Rebellion was put down by Elizabeth I’s troops. Hundreds were executed, showing Elizabeth’s alarm. Neither Mary nor Norfolk were punished.

Plots against Elizabeth I

The Ridolfi Plot in 1572 was a plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and put Mary on the throne.
The Throckmorton Plot in 1583 was a plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and the Duke of Guise invading England.
The Babington Plot in 1586 was also a plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and the Duke of Guise invading England. Mary was found to be implicated in this plot.

Reasons not to execute Mary

Elizabeth I was reluctant to execute Mary following the Babington Plot. This was because:
- She didn't want to condone the murder of a monarch.
- Mary was her cousin.
- Mary's execution would anger the Catholic community.
- It could give Spain an excuse to invade England.

Reasons to execute Mary

But there were compelling reasons to execute Mary:
- England was already at war with Spain and Spain was planning their Armada.
- Mary had been found guilty of treason.
Mary was executed in February 1587.

1Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7Henry VII & Society

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6Relations with Spain

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13The English Renaissance

2.2.14Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

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