How serious was the Catholic threat to Elizabeth, and what was the problem of Mary Queen of Scots?
The Catholic threat to Elizabeth from 1569 to 1588: the problem of Mary Queen of Scots, the Revolt of the Northern Earls, the Papal excommunication of 1570, the Catholic plots (Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington), and the execution of Mary in 1587.
A focused answer to the Catholic threat in Edexcel's Early Elizabethan England depth study, covering the problem of Mary Queen of Scots, the Revolt of the Northern Earls (1569), the Papal excommunication (1570), the Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington plots, and the execution of Mary in 1587.
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What this dot point is asking
This covers the Catholic threat to Elizabeth between 1569 and 1588, the most dangerous part of her early reign. You need the problem of Mary Queen of Scots, the Revolt of the Northern Earls, the Papal excommunication, the Catholic plots, and the execution of Mary. The British depth study often sets a 16-mark essay asking how far one factor (such as Mary) explains the threat, so you must be able to weigh several causes.
The problem of Mary Queen of Scots
The Revolt of the Northern Earls, 1569
The Papal excommunication, 1570
The Catholic plots
The execution of Mary, 1587
Try this
Q1. Name the three main Catholic plots against Elizabeth. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The Ridolfi Plot (1571), the Throckmorton Plot (1583) and the Babington Plot (1586).
Q2. Explain why Mary Queen of Scots was so dangerous to Elizabeth. [Short explanation]
- Cue. As the Catholic claimant to the throne she was the figurehead for every plot (the Northern Earls, Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington), so while she lived Catholics had a rival queen to rally behind, making each threat more serious.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 20204 marksDescribe two features of the Revolt of the Northern Earls (1569).Show worked answer →
The Paper 2 British depth study "Describe two features" question (4 marks). Reward two distinct features with detail.
Feature one. It was a Catholic rebellion led by the northern earls of Northumberland and Westmorland, who wanted to restore Catholicism and replace Elizabeth with Mary Queen of Scots.
Feature two. The revolt was defeated and harshly punished. It collapsed when royal forces advanced, and around 450 rebels were executed as a warning, strengthening Elizabeth's control of the north.
Full marks. Two features, each with one detail. Two marks per feature.
Edexcel 202116 marksHow far do you agree that Mary Queen of Scots was the main reason for the Catholic threat to Elizabeth in the years 1569 to 1588? Explain your answer. You may use the following in your answer: the Babington Plot (1586); the Revolt of the Northern Earls (1569). You must also use information of your own.Show worked answer →
The Paper 2 British depth study 16-mark essay (plus 4 SPaG). Argue both sides and reach a judgement, using the prompts plus your own knowledge.
For (Mary was the main reason). As the Catholic heir, Mary was the focus of every major plot (the Northern Earls, Ridolfi, Throckmorton, Babington), so while she lived she gave Catholics a figurehead and made every threat more dangerous.
Against (other reasons mattered). The Pope's excommunication (1570) freed Catholics to act, Spain and the Pope gave foreign backing, and the work of Catholic missionary priests kept the faith alive, so the threat had causes beyond Mary.
Judgement. A strong answer argues Mary was central because she united and inspired the plots, while acknowledging the Pope, Spain and missionaries; conclude with a clear judgement. Write for the SPaG marks.
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Sources & how we know this
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History (1HI0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)