5. the catholic threat

why were the catholics such a serious threat to Elizabeth?

When did Mary Queen of Scots arrive in England?

1568

Who are Jesuit priests?

• members of roman catholic missionary order

• chief aim was to destroy protestantism

• they swore an oath to the pope and were prepared to die for their cause (made them dangerous)

• 1581- began to arrive in England

Who are Seminary priests?

• English Catholics who had been trained for priesthood in Flanders

• taught it was their duty to return to England to re-establish the Catholic faith

Who was Edmund Campion?

A famous Jesuit priest and recusant who was one of the first to be sent to England on a religious mission to spread the catholic faith. He was captured, tortured and executed for treason.

What were recusants?

People who refused to attend church services. They believed in the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church and refused to compromise. Fines were imposed.

What happened in 1581 (to do with recusants)?

Fines for not attending church services were increased to £20 and made it a treasonable offence

What could Elizabeth do with Mary when she came to England?

• send her back to Scotland

• keep her in England

• allow her to go to france

• acknowledge her as heir to the throne of England

• help her regain her Scottish throne

• execute her

When and what was the Rebellion of the Northern Earls?

1569:

• November 1569- force of 4,600 men marched into Dunham, held a catholic mass in it’s cathedral and tore up the English prayer book and bible

• the rebels marched south to Bramham More but upon hearing that the Queen had sent forces, retreated North

• unable to stop Elizabeth’s forces they retreated north until January 1570 when the leaders fled across the border to Scotland

Who led the rebellion of the Northern earls? What happened to them?

Two powerful catholic lords - Charles Neville (Earl of Westmoreland) and Thomas Percy (Earl of Northumberland).

Northumberland was beheaded and Westmoreland escaped to Flanders where he died of poverty.

When and what was the Papal Ball of excommunication?

1570:

• the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth

• he called her a ‘servant of wickedness’

• he called among loyal catholics (Jesuit Priests) to remove her from the throne

• catholics were released from their oath of allegiance of the monarch

• it gave catholics permission to plot against the queen and replace her with Mary

When was the Ridolfi plot?

1571

What was the plan for the Ridolfi Plot?

Spanish army would land in England and help Catholics overthrow Elizabeth and make Mary queen, who would marry the Duke of Norfolk.

Who was involved with the Ridolfi plot?

• Robert Ridolfi

• duke of Norfolk

• Philip II spain

• Spanish ambassader

• the pope

• Mary (she was unaware)

What was the outcome of the Ridolfi Plot?

Discovered by William Cecil and Sir Francis Walsingham - through torture name were revealed and they were arrested.

When was the Throckmorton Plot?

1583-84

What was the plan for the Throckmorton Plot?

French Catholic forces, backed by Spanish and papal money, were to invade England and free Mary from captivity. The Duke of Guise was also planing to invade England from the Netherlands.

Who was involved with the throckmorton plot?

• Francis Throckmorton (influenced by Jesuit Priests)

• Spanish ambassador - de Mendoza

What was the outcome of the Throckmorton plot?

• uncovered by the secret service

• throckmorton was executed

• Mendoza was expelled from country

• Mary was moved to Tutbury castle and had not visitors

What happened in July 1584 which proved the increasing threat of the catholics?

Leader of the Dutch Protestants, William of Orange, was shot dead by a catholic assassin

When was the Babington Plot?

1586

What was the plan of the Babington Plot?

Overthrow and murder Elizabeth and replace her with Mary with the help of the Spanish.

Who was involved with the Babington plot?

• Anthony Babington

• Mary- they had been sending letters in code about the plot

What was the outcome of the Babington Plot?

Plot was uncovered by Walsingham and he had proof of Mary’s direct involvement. Babington was arrested and confessed. He and six others were executed.