Plots and Revolts at Home Flashcards
Describe the Situation in the North of England
-The north of England was far away from London and therefore far away from Elizabeth I and her court.
-The majority of people living in the north remained loyal to Catholicism and the ancient noble families who had governed the north for centuries.
-Both were threatened during Elizabeth I’s reign when she introduced Protestantism and promoted ‘new men’ from the gentry and lower nobility to the most important positions.
Explain why The Northern Earls Revolted in 1569
-The earls and their followers wanted Catholicism restored in England.
-The earls had lost a great deal of their influence at court since Elizabeth I became queen in 1558.
-Elizabeth refused to name an heir or to marry and have a child, creating uncertainty about the future of England.
-Mary, Queen of Scots, in captivity in England was a figurehead who could potentially replace Elizabeth and in doing so, resolve the other issues the earls had.
Describe the Role of Thomas and Ann Percy in the Revolt of the Northern Earls
-Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland was Catholic. He had held an important position at court under Mary I but lost a lot of influence under Elizabeth I as she favoured new Protestant gentry.
-He had also lost the rights to a valuable, newly discovered copper mine found on his lands to the queen in 1567.
-Ann Percy was Thomas’ wife and encouraged her husband in the rebellion.
Describe the Role of Charles and Jane Neville in the Revolt of the Northern Earls
-Charles Neville, Earl of Westmorland was from an important Catholic family in the north of England. He was also the Duke of Norfolk’s brother-in-law.
-Jane Neville was the wife of Charles Neville and the Duke of Norfolk’s sister. She encouraged her husband to carry on with the rebellion.
Describe the Role of Thomas Howard and Mary, Queen of Scots in the Revolt of the Northern Earls
-Thomas Howards, Duke of Norfolk was one of England’s most senior nobles and a Protestant but had links to an ancient noble family.
-He disliked the ‘new men’ from the gentry and lower nobility that Elizabeth favoured, such as William Cecil.
-A central part of the plot was that he would marry Mary, Queen of Scots. However, he later backed down and urged the earls to call off the rebellion.
-Mary, Queen of Scots met the Duke of Norfolk once after fleeing to England in 1568. She supported the plan to marry him and even take the English throne.
Describe the Role of Religion in the Revolt of the Northern Earls
-Much of the north, including the earls of Northumberland and Westmorland, held on to traditional Catholic beliefs, despite Elizabeth I’s religious settlement in 1559.
-Elizabeth did not want to persecute Catholics but did want the religion to eventually die out. She appointed James Pilkington, a committed Protestant as archbishop of Durham in 1561.
-By doing this, Elizabeth hoped to lessen the Catholic influence in the north of England. Pilkington became the most important clergyman in the north.
-His efforts to impose Protestantism were very unpopular and only succeeded in turning many northerners against him and England’s new religion.
Describe the Role of Politics in the Revolt of the Northern Earls
-Under Mary I, the Catholic earls had been very influential, both in court and locally. Northumberland resented a rival family, the Forsters who Elizabeth favoured.
-He felt his own status undermined and his relationship with the queen never really recovered. His religion also made William Cecil see him as a threat.
-Men like Cecil did not come from ancient noble families but were very close to the queen. The northern earls resented these newcomers and the influence they had over Elizabeth.
Describe the Role of Succession in the Revolt of the Northern Earls
-Elizabeth refused to name an heir. She would also not marry so would not give birth to the next monarch either.
-If she were to die before naming an heir, England could be thrown into confusion and possibly civil war.
-Mary, Queen of Scots had a strong claim to the throne. The revolt started as a wider conspiracy to marry her to the Duke of Norfolk.
-The plot would solve the problem of Mary and any children would be heirs. It was assumed her children would be Protestant as although she was Catholic, Norfolk was Protestant.
-In turn, some believed if Mary married Norfolk and was named heir, England would still have a Protestant monarch on Elizabeth’s death.
Explain why Some Courtiers Began to Go Against the Plot to Marry Mary, Queen of Scots to the Duke of Norfolk
-Although the conspiracy was not treason, Elizabeth had made it clear that the matter of succession was a royal prerogative.
-The marriage of members of the nobility required the queen’s consent.
-The Duke of Norfolk was sympathetic and close to Catholics, for whom Mary, Queen of Scots would be a preferable monarch.
-Eventually in September 1569, the Earl of Leicester informed Elizabeth of the plot. By then, it was more developed that simply marrying Mary to Norfolk.
Describe the Plan for the Revolt of the Northern earls
-Northumberland and Westmorland would raise rebel forces from their lands and take control of Durham.
-The rebels would then march south towards London and join with Norfolk.
-Spanish troops would land in Hartlepool to support the rebels.
-Norfolk and the rebels would take control of the government in London and overthrow Elizabeth I.
-Any resistance would be stopped by the Spanish troops.
-Mary, Queen of Scots would be freed ready to marry Norfolk and take the throne.
Explain what Caused the Outbreak of the Revolt
-Once Elizabeth knew about the plot, Norfolk was arrested. He was sent to the Tower of London on the 1 November 1569.
-When they heard the news, the earls of Northumberland and Westmorland became desperate and with their wives’ support and urging, pushed ahead with the revolt.
Explain why the Revolt of the Northern Earls was Significant
-The rebels took control of Durham from James Pilkington. they destroyed evidence of Protestantism and celebrated mass.
-Mass was celebrated at churches across the north east of England for the next fortnight.
-The rebels turned south, bearing banners with religious symbols. In turn, Elizabeth moved Mary, Queen of Scots further south to Coventry to prevents her being freed.
-By 22 November, the rebels controlled the north, east of the Pennines and as far south as Braham moor. Then on 14 December, they took Barnard castle.
Explain why the Revolt of the Northern Earls was Not Significant
-The Spanish troops never arrived to support the rebellion.
-16 December, the rebel force of 5,400 flee from Elizabeth’s force of 14,000.
-The rebellion ultimately failed and 450 rebels were executed. The troops were ordered to terrify the northern population to prevent another rebellion.
-Northumberland was executed in York in 1572 and Mary was kept in captivity for anther 14 years.
Explain why the Revolt of the Northern Earls Failed
-Although the northern earls had a lot of support, most Catholics remained loyal to Elizabeth. This included nobles. They liked the stability of her reign and did not want to risk that.
-The Pope did not give backing at the time of the revolt. The revolt happened before the papal Bull of 1570 so France and Spain didn’t send support either.
-Elizabeth did not panic and was able to quickly raise an army. Her forces soon overcame the rebels and afterwards, moved quickly to secure key towns and cities.
-There was a lack of clear aims. Some called for the removal of Elizabeth while other just wanted changes to religious policies. Northumberland and Westmorland also wanted to free Mary.
Describe the problems Mary, Queen of Scots Caused for Elizabeth After the revolt of the Northern Earls
-Although Elizabeth I acted harshly against many of the rebels, she was hesitant when in came to Mary and Norfolk. He was released while Mary was kept in captivity.
-The Scots had overthrown Mary and executing her would suggest that Elizabeth accepted what they had done. However, being an anointed monarch meant you were chosen by God.
-Elizabeth’s reluctance to deal with Mary frustrated her Privy Council and parliament and the situation was also exploited by others. Mary would soon get involved with another plot.
Describe the Significance of the Papal Bull
-The failed revolt led, Pope Pius V to issue a papal bull on 27 April 1570. He excommunicated Elizabeth, officially excluding her from the Church.
-He also called on all Catholics to remover her from power, hoping that it would encourage another rebellion.
-Suddenly, English Catholics faced a major dilemma: did they follow the instruction of the Pope or remain loyal to their queen.
-For Elizabeth, this was a major problem: every Catholic in the country was now a potential threat.
Describe Elizabeth I’s Response to the Papal Bull
-In response to the Papal Bull, Elizabeth I called parliament to assemble.
-In 1571, parliament passed Acts widening the definition of treason.
-It became treasonable to claim that Elizabeth I was a heretic, was not the queen and also to bring in, or print Papal Bulls in England.
Describe the Consequences of the Revolt of the Northern Earls
-The treason laws became harsher and the definition of treason was widened.
-It ended the power and influence of the Percy and Neville families in the north.
-It prompted harsher treatments for Catholics. In 1572, Elizabeth sent the Earl of Huntingdon to lead the Council of the North. He implemented laws against Catholics and suppressed them.
-Although Elizabeth’s brutal response shows how seriously she viewed the threat, most Catholics remained loyal.
-It caused the Pope to issue a Papal Bull, encouraging another revolt.
Describe the Preparation of the Ridolfi Plot
-Roberto Ridolfi was an Italian banker living in England. He was also one of the Pope’s spies.
-In 1571, he arranged a plot to murder Elizabeth, launch a Spanish invasion and put Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne. It was also planned for Mary to marry the Duke of Norfolk.
-In March 1571, Ridolfi left England to discuss the plot with the Pope, Philip II and the Duke of Alba, who was stationed in the Netherlands.
-Ridolfi had a letter signed by the Duke of Norfolk declaring he was a Catholic and would lead a rebellion if Philip II supported it.
-Philip II told Alba to prepare 10,000 men to send to England if necessary.
Describe the Consequences of the Ridolfi Plot
-Sir William Cecil uncovered the plot and by autumn 1571 he had enough evidence to prove that Norfolk was guilty of plotting against Elizabeth I again.
-This was high treason. Ridolfi was abroad when his plot was uncovered and never returned to England.
-When parliament met again in May 1572, it demanded the execution of both Norfolk and Mary. Elizabeth signed Norfolk’s death warrant and he was executed in June 1572.
-However, Elizabeth would still not take action against Mary, even refusing to bar her from the succession.
Describe the Significance of the Ridolfi Plot
-Coming so soon after the Papal Bull excommunicating Elizabeth, the Ridolfi plot reinforced the threat posed by Mary and Catholics, both at home and abroad.
-It also reinforced the threat to England from Spain. Already concerned by the Duke of Alba’s presence in the Netherlands, anxiety about Spain’s intentions towards Elizabeth increased.
-Because of the threat from Spain, Elizabeth focused on improving relations with France.
Describe the Smuggling of Catholic Priests and Priest Holes
-In order to keep Catholicism alive in England and strengthen English Catholics’ resistance to Elizabeth and her Protestant Church, Catholic priests were smuggled into England from 1574.
-They travelled undercover, staying with Catholic families, celebrating mass and hearing confessions. This was highly dangerous.
-Government agents increasingly kept English catholic sunder surveillance. Homes where priests were suspected to be staying were raided.
-Those priests caught risked being hanged, drawn and quartered, although not all were. In many homes, secret hiding places called priest holes were made.
Describe Elizabeth I’s New Measures Against Catholics
-In 1581, parliament passed two laws against English Catholics.
-Recusants would now be fined £20- an enormous sum that would bankrupt most families.
-Attempting to convert people to Catholicism was now treason.
-Measures against English Catholics were harsh, but the plots against Elizabeth continued.
Describe the Preparation of the Throckmorton Plot
-The Throckmorton plot planned for the French Duke of Guise, the cousin of Mary, Queen of Scots, to invade England, free Mary, overthrow Elizabeth and restore Catholicism in England.
-Philip II would provide financial support.
-A young Englishman, Francis Throckmorton, was to act as a go-between with Mary
-The Pope also knew, an approved, of the plans.
