Mary Queen of Scots #5

Context

* after Francis II died she remarried Lord Darnley in 1565, he was murdered
* she married the main suspect in 1567, the Earl of Bothwell
* scottish lords forced her to abdicate
* 1568 she fled to England asking Elizabeth for protection

Her Dilemma

* imprisoning her
* looks bad, anger phil, focus for rebellion
* provide an army to help her regain the throne
* power to mary, money, more religious conflict
* give her up
* regret it, queen on trial
* let her live in france
* can’t keep an eye on her, strengthen FR/SC
* let her free
* rally a rebellion
* execute
* phil would go mental

Threat: Religion

* Mary was catholic
* english catholics wanted a catholic monarch and she had a strong claim to the throne
* catholics thought Elizabeth was illegitimate and thus mary was the true heir to the English throne
* she could potentially lead/ be the focus point for catholic plots

Threat: Support from Abroad

* France (Auld alliance), family in france, france is strong and wealthy
* Spain: Elizabeth had annoyed phil in the settlement and supporting rebels
* Pope: encouraging the counter reformation

Threat: Heir

* Liz had no kids or alive siblings
* Mary had a claim to the throne
* only needed Elizabeth to stop reigning to reinstate catholicism