the three plots

Question 1

what was the plot ? Ridolfi plot 1571

Answer 1

Ridolfi was a banker and an Italian spy working for the pope. In 1571 he developed a plot to get rid of Elizabeth. Duke of Norfolk would marry Mary QOS and Spain would invade England and make Mary queen.

Ridolfi met the pope , Phillip II and Duke of Alba in Netherlands. He had a letter from Duke of Norfolk who said he would lead the rebellion if they agreed to send Alba and 10,000 men to help.

Sir William Cecil uncovered the plot, Norfolk was executed in 1972. Ridolfi abroad and escaped. Mary was executed.

Question 2

Significance of Ridolfi plot 1571

Answer 2

• clear that Spain was a threat to England so Elizabeth determined to have better relations with France.
• Catholic priests were sent to England to keep Catholicism alive, Caught = hung, drawn and quartered
• Parliament passed 2 laws to deal with catholic situation. Recusants fined £20 enough to bankrupt and turning to catholic was an act of treason and punishable by death.

Question 3

Throckmorton plot 1583

Answer 3

Duke of guise invade England with French troops and free Mary QOS . Elizabeth would be overthrown and Mary would be Queen so Catholicism can be restored . Sir Francis Walsingham uncovered the plot and Throckmorton was executed.

Question 4

significance of Throckmorton plot 1583

Answer 4

• clear that Mary, Philip and the pope were a continual threat
• life got tougher for Catholics due to laws

Question 5

How did Elizabeth find out about most of these rebellions?

Answer 5

Sir Francis Walsingham

• his actions provided intelligence that defeated the plot
• his actions deterred other plots

Question 6

Walsingham’s spy network

Answer 6

• network of spy’s and informants in every town
• Some of his agents were trained and payed by the government
• Used spies abroad
• used ciphers

Question 7

Babington plot 1586

Answer 7

same as Throckmorton plot
Babington would be the one delivering the message between Mary and French Duke of Guise
Elizabeth’s spymaster sir Francis Walsingham uncovered the plot and Babington was executed

Question 8

Significance of Babington plot

Answer 8

• Elizabeth finally decided to put Mary on trial and she was executed
• Relationship with Spain fully broken ( same time as Elizabeth helping Dutch rebels)

Question 9

significance of The execution of Mary Queen of Scots, 1587

Answer 9

• Mary was an anointed monarch so executing her set a dangerous precedent . ( Elizabeth could meet same fate )
• Execution further angered Philip and gave him reason to invade and attack England - Mary left claim of throne to Philip
• Execution removed threat but made the succession even more uncertain, increasing the likelihood of civil war.