Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots had a strong, legitimate claim to the English throne. To some Catholics, her claim was better than Elizabeth's.

• Supporting Mary would mean attacking a friendly Protestant government in Scotland. Mary was her cousin, but it was too big a risk.

• Not supporting Mary would be endorsing her overthrow and implying that it was acceptable to depose an anointed, lawful monarch.

• Mary’s presence in England was a problem. She was next in line to the throne, favoured by Catholics, while Elizabeth was refusing to marry or name an heir.

• When Catholic Mary Queen of Scots returned in 1561, Scotland was being ruled by a Protestant government.
• Mary married Lord Darnley and gave birth to an heir, James, in 1566.
• Darnley was murdered in 1567. Mary and her lover, the Earl of Bothwell, were implicated.
• Mary was forced to abdicate in favour of James, then imprisoned. The Earl of Moray became regent.
• Mary escaped in 1568, raised an army but was defeated. She fled to England.

• The Northern Rebellion of 1569 aimed to marry Mary, Queen of Scots to the Duke of Norfolk. Her children with Norfolk would be Elizabeth’s heirs.
• The aims of the plot developed into deposing Elizabeth I.
• Catholic Earls from northern England led thousands of ordinary Catholics in rebellion, seizing Durham.
• The Northern Rebellion was put down by Elizabeth I’s troops. Hundreds were executed, showing Elizabeth’s alarm. Neither Mary nor Norfolk were punished.

• The Ridolfi Plot in 1572 was a plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and put Mary on the throne.
• The Throckmorton Plot in 1583 was a plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and the Duke of Guise invading England.
• The Babington Plot in 1586 was also a plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and the Duke of Guise invading England. Mary was found to be implicated in this plot.

Elizabeth I was reluctant to execute Mary following the Babington Plot. This was because:

• She didn't want to condone the murder of a monarch.
• Mary was her cousin.
• Mary's execution would anger the Catholic community.
• It could give Spain an excuse to invade England.

• But there were compelling reasons to execute Mary:
  • England was already at war with Spain and Spain was planning their Armada.
  • Mary had been found guilty of treason.
• Mary was executed in February 1587.