Sheffield manor lodge

When did Mary Queen of Scots arrive in England?

May 1568

Who was Mary QOS accused of murdering?

Her second husband Henry Darnley

Who was Mary now married to?

Earl of Bothwell, main suspect for the murder

Who defeated Mary's army and where?

Both the Catholic and Protestant Scottish nobles at the Battle of Langside May 1568

What was Mary's aim in coming to England?

Elizabeth would help her regain the Scottish throne

Who was Mary placed under the protection of initially?

Sir Francis Knollys, Privy Councillor at Carlisle Castle

When was Mary brought to Sheffield?

November 1570

Who was Mary under the protection of in Sheffield?

George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury

Why was Mary a threat to Elizabeth?

She was Catholic and was her cousin, meaning she had the best claim to the English throne

Why would Elizabeth send Mary to France?

She had been their Queen until age of 18

Why would it be risky for Elizabeth to send Mary to France or Spain?

Mary could raise a foreign army, retake the Scottish throne and then threaten England

What was a disadvantage of keeping Mary captive in England?

She would become the focal point of Catholic discontent, which led to plots and further danger for Elizabeth

Why did Elizabeth think George Talbot was a good fit for Mary's protector?

He was a moderate Protestant with some of his family following more Catholic ways of worship

What was appealing about the location of Shrewsbury's estates?

They were close together in the centre of the country and remote from the sea. They were also far away from London and the court where there was scheming involving Mary

Why did a group of nobles want Duke of Norfolk want to marry Mary?

So they could gain power, secure English succession and lead to the removal of Lord Burghley, whom they were jealous of

What was the aim of the Northern Rebellion?

Free Mary and use her as a figurehead to force Elizabeth to make religious changes

Events of the Northern Rebellion 1569

4,000 rebels march to Durham where they hold a catholic mass, they begin to marching south, aiming to release Mary from Tutbury Castle but their plan failed.

What happened on 24 November 1569 concerning Mary and the Northern Earls?

Mary was moved further south to Coventry out of reach of the rebels and under a strong guard

How were Westmoreland and Northumberland punished?

Northumberland was beheaded in 1572 and Westmorland died abroad in poverty with his lands in confiscated

How did Elizabeth show the penalties for treason after the northern revolt?

Hanged 600 rebels

Where did Mary spend most of her captivity?

Sheffield Castle or Sheffield Manor Lodge which was two miles away from the castle

Why did some members of the Privy Council see Sheffield Manor Lodge as an unfit prison?

Doubted she could be safely guarded there

How did the St Bartholomews day Massacre in France influence Mary's captivity?

Created anger against Catholics and the number of armed men guarding Mary increased to 70

External features of Sheffield Manor Lodge

Built on high ground, inner and outer courtyards, gardens and fountainss, 4 acres

Why was Sheffield Manor Lodge built?

A medieval hunting lodge set in the middle of Sheffield Park, a deer park with 8 mile boundary and 3000 deer

What was the Turret house?

Combined gatehouse and hunting lodge.

What could be found in the Turret house?

French and Scottish decoration. Room upstairs known as 'Mary's room' which was decorated with marigolds, grapes and a thistle

What was the Turret House's purpose?

To guard the gate and provide lodgings on the ground floor for sentries

Examples of rooms in the main building of Sheffield Manor Lodge

A great gallery, tower room, large main bedroom, nursery, porter's lodge, stables, kitchens and larders, wine cellar, wash houses, brewhouse, bakehouse chapel

What was found in the Long Gallery?

Oak panelled walls hung with tapestries and paintings, fine furnishing and Shrewsbury's collection of armour

Features of the Great Hall

Close to the kitchens and where banquets were held

What was the name of the Earl of Shrewsbury's wife?

Bess of Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury

What did Elizabeth declare in 1575 regarding Bess of Hardwick?

Bess should 'accompany' and 'pass the time' with Mary

What sort of activities did Mary do at Sheffield Manor Lodge?

embroidery, reading and studying religious books, passing time with caged birds and her lapdogs

What was the dilemma in Mary's captivity?

She had to be kept safe because she was a valuable asset to anyone plotting against Elizabeth, but also must be treated like a queen

In what ways did Mary live as though she was at court?

Sat under a cloth of state, took meals in a formly manner and ate from silver plates, slept on fine linen sheets

How did Mary's rooms so that she was treated as a queen?

Turkish carpets covered her floors, slept on fine linen sheets, had gold-leafed chandeliers and chairs were upholstered with crimson and gold

Who was appointed Elizabeth's principal secretary in 1573?

Sir Francis Walsingham

How did Walsingham keep Elizabeth safe by keeping an eye on Mary?

Placed spies in Shrewsbury's home, questioned servants at times of national threat, recieved weekly reports written by Shrewsbury about Mary's health, behaviour and security

What was Mary's personal security?

Guarded 24hrs a day by at least 8 armed men

Why was Shrewsbury criticised for having relaxed custody over Elizabeth?

She could go riding outside and saw numerous visiters

What rumours led to the failure of the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury's marriage?

An affair between Shrewsbury and Mary

When was Shrewsbury replaced as Mary's guard?

August 1584

What was one of Shrewsbury's roles in 1587?

Earl Marshal of England, meaning he was responsible for the administration of justice and therefore expected to attend Mary's trial

When did Shrewsbury die?

1590

How did guarding Mary QOS cost Shrewsbury?

Cost him his career, fortune, wife, health and happiness

Who signalled Mary's executioner to strike?

Shrewsbury

How was Shrewsbury rewarded for looking after Mary?

Made a Privy Councillor

How many people were in Mary's court at SML?

50

Six examples of Mary living as a royal at SML

1. She ate off of silver plates
2. She slept on fine linen sheets
3. Turkish carpets covered the floors of her two rooms
4. Gold leaf chandeliers lit the room
5. Chairs were upholstered in crimson and cloth of gold
6. She bathed and washed in the best wine

What was Shrewsbury's allowance for looking after Mary?

£52 a week, which was then reduced to £30 a week which was paid irregularly and sometimes not at all

Why did Elizabeth not respond to Shrewsbury's wishes for a higher allowance?

She thought that if wealthy enough, her courtiers should see it as honourable to provide out of their own pockets

How much did it cost Shrewsbury annually to host Mary QOS?

£10,000 a year (1.75m)

What was the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572?

Hundreds of Huguenots were murdered by French catholics

What was the consequence of St Bartholomews Day massacre for Mary?

She was confined to Sheffield Castle and could not go out for excercise

How did the Babington plot have its origins in SML?

Mary met Anthony Babington when he was a young attended in Shrewsbury's household. Thomas Morgan who was Mary's agent in Paris served in Sheffield as secretary to the Earl.