Trouble Magnet

Mary Queen of Scots was Elizabeth's cousin. She was overthrown as Queen in Scotland and fled to England in 1568. Her presence in England was a huge problem for Elizabeth because she attracted trouble. Mary was Catholic and heir to the throne so she became the focus of a series of plots to kill Elizabeth and replace her with Mary - for example the Northern Rebellion and the Ridolfi Plot. Mary was kept under house arrest.

Trial and Execution

Although Mary was involved in earlier plots, Elizabeth did not want to execute her because:

There wasn't enough evidence that she supported the plots.
It would anger France and Spain.
She was a monarch and her cousin.

The Babington Plot proved Mary's guilt and Parliament pressured Elizabeth to order her execution. This was carried out in 1587.

What was important about Mary Queen of Scots arrival in England?

Mary's arrival in England led to a series of plots and rebellions. This was because she was Catholic and the heir to the throne. The situation was even more dangerous because of the Papal Bull which urged Catholics to rise up against Elizabeth.

What was important about Mary Queen of Scots execution?

Mary's execution reduced the Catholic threat at home. The new heir to the throne was Protestant and so Catholics had nothing to gain by killing Elizabeth. There were no more Catholic plots in Elizabeth's reign.

However, the execution of Mary increased the threat from abroad. It angered France and Spain and it was one cause of the Spanish Armada the next year in 1588.

GCSE Elizabethan England 1568-1603 AQA

Mary Queen of Scots