Use this mnemonic to remember the plots: Naughty Rebels Try Bumping off Elizabeth.

Northern Rebellion
Ridolfi Plot
Throckmorton Plot
Babington Plot
Essex Rebellion (although this wasn't a Catholic plot)

Elizabeth faced a string of plots that attempted to assassinate her and place Mary Queen of Scots on the throne. All of them failed but they made her feel threatened and so she passed harsher laws against Catholics.

Ridolfi Plot 1571

Led by Ridolfi and the Duke of Norfolk. The plan was to murder Elizabeth and replace her with Mary Queen of Scots. Spain would then invade to support the uprising. However the plot was discovered by Elizabeth's spies and she reluctantly agreed to execute the Duke of Norfolk.

Throckmorton Plot 1583

A similar plan (kill Elizabeth & replace her with Mary QofS), but this time supported by a French invasion. Walsingham's spies discovered the plot and Throckmorton was executed. Mary was put under a close watch.

Babington Plot 1586

This plot was easily detected by Walsingham as he had been watching Mary closely. His spies discovered coded letters from Mary to Babington that had been smuggled out of the house where Mary was imprisoned (in beer barrels). These letters proved that she agreed with the plan to assassinate Elizabeth. After much persuasion from the Privy Council, Elizabeth signed Mary's death warrant.

GCSE Elizabethan England 1568-1603 AQA

Catholic Plots