For the next 19 years, Mary is kept under close scrutiny and house arrest. She had become a focal point for Catholic and noble discontent and a potential pawn for use by Spain and France – The Throckmorton Plot. Thockmorton acted as an intermediary between Mary and the Spanish ambassador, Mendoza. Mendoza was expelled and war with Spain was close – Mary married Lord Darnley (a great grandson of Henry VII) prompting speculation that she intended to claim the English throne. Mary Stuart became the focal point of plots and intrigues from 1569 onwards. One of Elizabeth’s ministers said: ‘As long as life is in her, there is hope. As they live in hope, we live in fear.’ 1558 – Mary marries the heir to the French throne – Mary ran away and married Bothwell. Few people in Scotland now think that she is a suitable ruler. Mary becomes pregnant but many assume that it is the product of a relationship with her secretary, David Rizzio – Francis II died leaving Mary a widow at the age of 18. France is in chaos divided between Catholics and Protestants. February 1587 – Mary Stuart was executed after the death warrant signed by Elizabeth was released – Mary returned to Scotland to assume the role of Queen. She had no power or influence and her government was Protestant – The Babington Plot. This plot was carefully watched by Elizabeth’s secret service under Walsingham. It led to Mary’s execution – James is born. He is heir to the Scottish throne and, after his mother, heir to the English throne – Darnley is killed after an explosion in his house at Kirk-o- field. It was probably arranged by Mary’s new lover, the Earl of Bothwell, 1569 – The Rebellion of the Northern Earls. Mary would have been made Queen if this had succeeded – Mary was born, the only child of James V of Scotland who died when she was a week old – Mary is forced to abdicate in favour of her baby son James. The Earl of Murray, leader of the Protestant lords, becomes Regent – Her husband becomes King Francis II of France – David Rizzio is murdered (stabbed 56 times) in front of the pregnant Mary under the orders of Darnley. Elizabeth wrote a letter to James protesting her innocence of the murder of his mother. He, though, had no intention of war. He was now likely to be the heir to the English throne. A special commission found Mary guilty of treason in October Elizabeth was reluctant to sign her death warrant though. On the other hand, not to act would suggest that she agreed a monarch could be deposed – The Ridolfi Plot is uncovered. Again, Mary would have been made Queen if it had succeeded – Mary flees to England. Elizabeth is in a tricky position. On the one hand she ought to show support for her cousin. But this could mean attacking her Protestant allies in Scotland.

The Throckmorton Plot, The Ridolfi Plot, 1571 Rebellion of the Northern Earls, 1569 The Babington Plot, 1586

On the one hand, Mary had repeatedly shown that she was the focus of potential rebellion against Elizabeth. Her Catholicism meant she was always likely to get the support of Philip II and the Pope. Mary, alive and imprisoned, was always a major threat. On the other hand, events had moved on by early England was actively at war with Spain and an invasion of England had already been planned. Mary’s execution gave Philip II an additional motive, but, in reality, the threat from abroad was no worse than it had been. Mary’s death did not end speculation about the succession though. Elizabeth still refused to be drawn but it was assumed that James would succeed to the throne. It could be argued that the execution marked the last stage of the Reformation. England would remain a Protestant country.

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Attempts to try to stay friendlyDeterioration

At first glance, Elizabeth was successful. England had not been invaded and the foundation of the future English Empire had been laid. Trade with India and beyond had begun and other networks for overseas trade had also been set up. BUT, the war against Spain cost England dearly. An economic depression of the 1590s was partly caused by a loss of trade with Spain. Elizabeth was spending twice as much as her normal income. To cover this, she sold valuable Crown lands and resorted to unpopular policies such as the sale of monopolies. In the short term, these raised enough money to avoid bankruptcy. In the long term, the loss of land deprived the Crown of a regular source of income. The legacy of repeated demands on Parliament also created a sense of grievance that was to have important repercussions for her Stuart successors.