Why was Mary Queen of Scots a Threat to the English Throne?

Mary Queen of Scots posed a significant threat to the English throne during the reign of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. Her Catholicism and familial connection to the throne made her a target for those who desired to place her on the English throne and revert England to Catholic rule.

Mary and Elizabeth's Connection

Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I shared a familial bond, making Mary's claim to the English throne legitimate. However, Mary's religion - Catholicism - set the stage for numerous plots and conspiracies aimed at overturning Elizabeth's rule and installing Mary on the throne.

Troublesome Papal Bull and Religious Tensions

In February 1570, Pope Pius V declared Elizabeth I a heretic and excommunicated her. This declaration released Catholics in England from their allegiance to Elizabeth and encouraged them to remove her from the throne. While Spain was particularly interested in this mission, religious tensions in England were already high, with many Catholics eager to see Mary on the throne.

Major Incidents and Attempts on Elizabeth's Throne

Mary's connection to the throne and her religious stance led to several major plots to overthrow Elizabeth and put her on the throne herself. These plots included:

1. The 1569 Northern Earl's Rebellion

This rebellion involved the gathering of an army of 6,000 men to depose Elizabeth, restore England to Catholicism, and install Mary. Although Elizabeth dealt with this rebellion ruthlessly, it set a precedent for the extent of the potential threat.

2. The 1571 Ridolfi Plot

A complex plot involving an Italian banker, an English Catholic, and support from Philip II of Spain, this plot aimed to assassinate Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne. This plot had the active support of Philip of Spain, the Duke of Norfolk, and importantly, Mary herself. This demonstrated the extent to which Mary was involved in these plots.

3. The 1583 Throckmorton Plot

In this planned invasion, a Frenchman named Francis Throckmorton organized a French army to invade England and replace Elizabeth with Mary. This plot had the support of King Philip II and aimed to remove Elizabeth from power and install Mary as the queen.

4. The 1586 Babington Plot

This plot involved Sir Anthony Babington, who planned to rescue Mary from jail and murder Elizabeth. However, communications between Mary and Babington were intercepted and deciphered, leading to proof of Mary's involvement. This ruthless plot led to the eventual execution of Mary, but it did not completely end the threat.

The Babington Plot and Elizabeth's Dilemma

The Babington Plot was riddled with double agents, and Elizabeth's secret service had allowed it to continue to gather evidence of Mary's collusion. Despite her advisors urging for her execution, Elizabeth was famously hesitant to order Mary's execution. However, the evidence was so compelling that it could not be ignored, and Mary was ultimately executed.

Aftermath and Revelation

The execution of Mary did not end the threat posed by Catholic intrigue. The Spanish Armada, led by King Philip II, attempted an invasion of England in 1588, which only ended with the defeat of the Armada, securing Elizabeth's reign.

Mary Queen of Scots remains a central figure in the complex political and religious struggles of late 16th century England. Her legacy and involvement in several significant plots highlight the ongoing tensions between Protestant and Catholic factions, as well as the delicate balance of power in the ruling circles of the time.