3.5 Queen takes queen? The Revolt of the Northern Earls, 1569-70

What were the aims of the Duke of Norfolk in supporting the marriage of Mary to Norfolk?

• Norfolk was English - Mary could be controlled easier
• Norfolk could use his position to ensure that Mary was recognised as Elizabeth's heir - protecting Mary's claim/ settling the question of the succession
• Desire to end the threat of war with Spain
• Remove William Cecil (leading the country into war with Spain)
• Control Mary through marrying a (nominal) Protestant
• Some didn't want to remove Cecil - Leicester thought Mary would convert to Protestantism to keep her Scottish crown/ensure friendship with England.

Why was Elizabeth not prepared to support the Norfolk-Mary marriage?

• The marriage of her most powerful nobleman to a rival claimant to the throne would have been politically dangerous to Elizabeth. Norfolk's power and wealth, coupled with Mary's claim to be queen could have led to a challenge to Elizabeth's right to be queen.