Mary Queen of Scots, Plots and Succession

Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots

• Mary Stuart, known as Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1567), was the daughter of James V of Scotland, making her Elizabeth's cousin.
• She became Queen of Scotland at six days old but political instability meant that for her safety she was raised in France by her mother's family.
• She was a Stuart, Catholic, beautiful and accomplished, making her a nemesis of sorts to Elizabeth.

Mary's Timeline

• Raised in France whilst Scotland was ruled by regents.
• She married Francis II, King of France, in 1558. He died in 1560.
• Mary returned to Scotland in 1561 and married Lord Darnley, in 1565. She had James in 1566.
• In February 1567, Darnley was found suspiciously murdered.
• Three months later, Mary married James Hepburn.
• Scandal erupted and Mary was forced to abdicate in July 1567.
• She fled to England, seeking protection from her cousin, Elizabeth.
• Feeling threatened, Elizabeth imprisoned her in various residences for 19 years.
  • Mary was placed under house arrest moving from castle to castle, all located in the interior of England, halfway between Scotland and London and distant from the sea.
  • She was given domestic staff and occasionally allowed outside under strict supervision.
  • Whilst imprisoned and heavily guarded with spies placed in her household, Mary still got herself involved in a plot against the Queen.
• Cecil and Walsingham uncovered the Ridolfi plot, which implicated Mary with aid from Spanish troops and the Duke of Norfolk.

Mary**, Queen of Scots as a Potential Heir**

The Stuarts were excluded from Henry VIII's last will but many Catholics believed that Mary was the rightful Queen of England, descending from Henry through Margaret Tudor. Mary's arrival in England was unwelcome news to Elizabeth as it fuelled questions of her legitimacy. Elizabeth worried that it would increase Catholic rebellion and trigger instability in England.

Plots Against Elizabeth I

Role of the Duke of Norfolk

In 1569, Norfolk schemed to wed Mary and was briefly involved in a rebellion that attempted to free Mary. However, he was imprisoned for nine months on the Queen's order. Once he was released, he joined the plot to place Mary on the English throne and restore Catholicism in England, which came to be known as the Ridolfi plot.

Ridolfi Plot, 1571

AIM: Put Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne.

WHO: Roberto di Ridolfi**,** an Italian Catholic banker and spy for the Pope.

PLAN: Arrange the marriage of Mary, QoS, to the Duke of Norfolk. Then, with Spain's help, overthrow Elizabeth and return England to Catholicism.

OUTCOME: Cecil and Walsingham discovered the plot and executed Norfolk in 1572. Ridolfi escaped punishment by remaining in Europe.

Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, cousin of Elizabeth, Catholic

Throckmorton Plot, 1583

AIM: Spain and France to invade England, overthrow Elizabeth and restore Catholicism.

WHO: Scottish Jesuits, Spanish Ambassador Bernardino de Mendoza, Mary, QoS, Francis Throckmorton, cousin to Elizabeth's first lady-in-waiting Bess Throckmorton.

PLAN: Assassinate Elizabeth and install Mary, Queen of Scots, as queen.

OUTCOME: Walsingham discovered the link between the main players and Francis Throckmorton. Throckmorton confessed under torture and was executed (1584). Mary was moved to the more secure Tutbury Castle. Mendoza was ejected from England.

Babington Plot, 1586

AIM: Put Mary, QoS, on the throne and restore Catholicism.

WHO: Sir Anthony Babington, recusant nobleman, John Ballard, Jesuit priest, Mary, QoS

PLAN: Assassinate Elizabeth and install Mary, Queen of Scots, as queen.

OUTCOME: Coded letters were intercepted by Walsingham. Mary's replies of acknowledgement were the proof Walsingham needed to directly implicate Mary in the plot. Babington was arrested in August 1586 and confessed under torture. He was executed along with other plotters. The plot led directly to the execution of Mary, QoS.

Elizabeth delayed the execution of Mary but the Privy Council sealed the death warrant without her knowledge. To her anger, she imprisoned Cecil for six months in the Tower of London.

Resolution to the Succession Crisis

By the 1590s, James' strong claim was recognised by the Queen's trusted secretaries. Elizabeth refused to name James as her heir fearing that conflict would arise. The English succession had been a permanent issue during her reign and was even the cause of rebellion and plots. However, the transition from the Tudor dynasty to the Stuarts had been smooth and easy on account of Robert Cecil.

James I of England