2.2.1
Plots & Revolts at Home 1569-88
The Revolt of the Northern Earls and Excommunication
The Revolt of the Northern Earls and Excommunication
Two northern noblemen, the Earl of Westmorland and the Earl of Northumberland, led a rebellion against Elizabeth. Later, Pope Pius V issued a decree declaring that Elizabeth was not a legitimate queen.
Background
Background
- Elizabeth refused to let the Duke of Norfolk marry her Catholic cousin, Mary Queen of Scots.
- Many nobles in the north of England were Catholics and protestants from the South controlled many affairs in the north.
- Two northern noblemen, the Earl of Westmorland and the Earl of Northumberland, led a rebellion against Elizabeth.
The Revolt of the Northern Earls, 1569
The Revolt of the Northern Earls, 1569
- Elizabeth had seized territory from Thomas Percy, the Earl of Northumberland.
- The two Earls held an illegal Catholic mass in Durham Cathedral. 4600 men marched with them as they headed south.
- The loyalist Earl of Sussex raised 10,000 troops against them and they dispersed.
Outcome
Outcome
- Elizabeth paid the Scottish regent £2,000 to buy the Earl of Northumberland from Scotland and he was executed in York. Westmorland escaped to France. The Duke of Norfolk was imprisoned.
- The plot had tried to maintain the northern nobles’ independence. In fact, it led to increased oppression and government control in the region.
- Henry Hastings, a Puritan, was installed as leader of the Council of the North (which helped to govern the region).
The Papal Bull, 1570
The Papal Bull, 1570
- On the 27th April 1570, Pope Pius V issued a decree declaring that Elizabeth was not a legitimate queen, and that the people should not follow her laws.
- The decree, known as a bull, excommunicated (expelled) her from the Church.
- This made Elizabeth more vulnerable to rebellion and assassination as an illegitimate leader. However, the rebellion that the Pope had hoped for did not happen.
The Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington Plots
The Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington Plots
An Italian called Roberto di Ridolfi led a plot against the Queen in 1571. Sir Francis Throckmorton planned to assassinate Elizabeth in 1583. Anthony Babington invited France and Spain to invade in 1586.
The Ridolfi Plot (1571)
The Ridolfi Plot (1571)
- An Italian Catholic from Florence called Roberto di Ridolfi, who had been involved in the Northern Rebellion, led a plot against the queen in 1571. The plot involved the Duke of Norfolk, King Felipe II, the Spanish Ambassador to England, Pope Pius V and Mary Queen of Scots. Ridolfi's was the Pope's English 'papal agent'.
- Ridolfi would kill Elizabeth, and Mary Queen of Scots would marry the Duke of Norfolk.
- However, Elizabeth’s advisors discovered the plot after intercepting Mary Queen of Scot’s letters.
- The Duke of Norfolk was executed. The Catholic threat now involved the Pope and Spain.
The Throckmorton Plot (1583)
The Throckmorton Plot (1583)
- This was Spain and the Pope's second attempt to seize England.
- English Catholics would rebel, French soldiers would invade and the plan would be funded by Pope Pius V and King Felipe II.
- Francis Walsingham, a devout Protestant, was Elizabeth’s spymaster. One of his spies in the French embassy revealed Nicholas Throckmorton's plot. Throckmorton had conspired with the French and Spanish ambassadors and was executed.
- Cecil and Walsingham created the Bond of Association after this. This was a document that committed to hunting down and executing anyone trying to overthrow or kill the Queen. English nobles and the court had to sign this.
The Babington Plot (1586)
The Babington Plot (1586)
- This plot was led by a rich Catholic, Anthony Babington. France & Spain would invade England.
- Coded messages were passed through Mary Queen of Scots’ servants in beer barrels to the room where she was being imprisoned.
- Mary responded to the messages, supporting the plot.
- However, Elizabeth had a dedicated network of spies. The servants involved actually worked for the queen’s spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham.
- The coded messages and replies were taken to Elizabeth.
The execution of Mary Queen of Scots
The execution of Mary Queen of Scots
- The Babington Plot was the final straw for Elizabeth.
- Mary was positioned by Babington, France and Spain to become Queen of England in the plot.
- The discovery of the plot led to Mary’s execution along with Anthony Babington.
Mary Queen of Scots’ Trial and Execution
Mary Queen of Scots’ Trial and Execution
In October 1586, Mary was tried in front of a court of 36 noblemen, including Sir Francis Walsingham. Despite her attempts, she was executed in February 1587.
Mary's trial
Mary's trial
- Mary was passionate in her defence. She was angry that she had not been shown the evidence against her.
- As a Scot, she believed she could not be found guilty of treason.
- But, at the end of the trial, she was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death for her involvement in the Babington Plot.
Mary's death warrant
Mary's death warrant
- Elizabeth hesitated about signing the death warrant, as she did not want to inspire her enemies.
- Executing a member of the royal family may have put her in danger of execution later.
- She also did not want to provoke an extreme reaction by Catholic countries like France and Spain.
- But, on 1 February 1587 she signed the warrant.
Mary's execution
Mary's execution
- The execution took place at Fotheringhay Castle. The Earls of Kent and Shrewsbury witnessed the execution on Queen Elizabeth’s behalf.
- There was no longer a Catholic alternative to Elizabeth as Queen.
- Mary’s son, James, was a Protestant. However, many believed that Mary was a martyr, who had died for her faith (Catholicism) in the face of Elizabeth’s tyranny.
- King James accepted Elizabeth’s apology for the execution.
1Queen, Government & Religion
1.1Elizabeth I & her Court
2Challenges to Elizabeth at Home & Abroad
2.1The Religious Settlement
3Elizabethan Society 1558-88
3.1Education & Leisure
3.2The Poor & Living Standards
Jump to other topics
1Queen, Government & Religion
1.1Elizabeth I & her Court
2Challenges to Elizabeth at Home & Abroad
2.1The Religious Settlement
3Elizabethan Society 1558-88
3.1Education & Leisure
3.2The Poor & Living Standards
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