Challenges to Elizabeth at home and abroad

The revolt of the Northern Earls (1569-70)- Wanted to make Engalnd Catholic and lost most of their influence in court. Marry would marry Duke of Norfolk and remove elizabeth but Dudley found out and told elizabeth and the Duke was imprisoned and Mary was moved to Coventry.

Showed Mary couldn't be trusted and Liz increased control over the North

Ridolfi Plot (1571)- Ridolfi (Italian spy) planned to kil Liz and put Mary on the throne. He travelled to Netherlands and discussed with Pope and Phillip II, with a letter from Norfolk saying he would lead the rebbelion. But in Autumn Cecil found out and next year Liz signed his death warrant but not Mary's. 

Reinforced Spanish and English catholic threat

Throckmorton plot (1583)- French duke (Marys cousin) plotted to invade England and overthrow Liz and Francis Throchmorton was chosen to pass letters between mary and plotters.But Walsingham's spies found letters revealing plot and F T was arrested and executed

Revelaed the extent of the Catholic threat and shwed France and Spain as a potential threat

Babington plot (1586)- The French duke (Marys cousin) would invade England and Kill Liz and put Mary on the throne. Babington wrote to Mary about plot but Walsingham intercepted the letters and the plotters were killed.

Led to the execution of Mary which left no heir, increased chance of a civil war and further angered Spain giving them a reason to invade

Walsingham's spies-

• Ciphers- wrote letters in code
• spy network- some trained by government and others informants- agents in France. Germany, Spain and N America
• Torture and execution- Priests were tortured to force others to give up info. Also used threat of execution to provide him with informants to use against plotters

The Netherlands- Many Dutch were protestant but Alba executed them to restore Catholicism. This angered Elizabeth's government so they secretly allowed Dutch ships safe passsage in English ports and provided financial support for anyone attacking Spain. 

Pasification of Ghent (1576)- Due to lack of funds Spanish troops went unpaid which resulted in them looting Antwerp. This caused all 17 provinces joining in an alliance against Spain shown in the doccument P of G calling for all troops to be expelled from the Netherlands. 

By 1584 Spanish power was restored in the Netherlands under the Duk of Parma. English allies Duke of Alecon and William of Orange had died and The Treaty of Joinville (1584) had united Frnace and Spain against England and The Netherlands, but Ditch Catholics were also ready to make peace with Phillip strengthening his position.

New world- Spain conquered Peru and Mexico and gained wealth which denied English profitable opertunities as all trade had to go through spain. English merchants raided Spanish colonies and ships (Drake captured £40,000), and by 1580 Spanish government in the Netherlands were bankrupt. Liz knighted Drake showing her support of Spanish financial losses and Philip believed the only way to protect the wealth was by going to war with Liz.

The Netherlands (1585-88)

• England signed the treaty of nonsuch (1585) with Dutch protestants and made Spanish war more likely, Dudley would work with the rebels to fight Spain. This wasn't very successful as Liz hoped to negotiate with Phillip and some of Dudley's officers went to Spanish side- Dudley wanted to end Spanish rule but Liz wanted partial Spanish rule.

Cadiz raids (singeing of the king of spains beard)

• since jan 1586 Spain had been building up and Armada
• 19-22 April 1587- Drake attacked Cadiz ordered by Liz and destroyed 30 ships and the majority of their supplies. Delayed Armada by a year and bought england time to prepare.

reasons for use of armada- England would give Spain complete control of the Atlantic, newly aquired Portugal gave Spain ships, Drake's actions in US provocted it and gave a chance to make England Catholic.

Spanish invasion plans- Sail along channel to Netherlands and join forces with Duke of Parma and go to Kent where the Spansh army would attack London and est. a Catholic government.

reasons for English victory-

• Strong winds destroyed most Spanish ships
• Spanish captains panicked and cut their anchors and drifted away
• English ships were better equiped
• English got close enough to fire on Spain but far enough away to stop soldiers boarding

Consequences of English victory- 

• Protestant cause stronger
• More challenged Spain leading to fall of empire
• Liz's authority enhanced