Why was Mary Queen of Scots such a danger to Elizabeth, and why was she executed in 1587?
Why Mary Queen of Scots threatened Elizabeth, her flight to England in 1568, the major Catholic plots (Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington), the role of Walsingham's spy network, and the reasons for and consequences of Mary's execution in 1587.
A focused answer to Mary Queen of Scots and the Catholic plots in the Eduqas British study in depth, covering why Mary threatened Elizabeth, her 1568 flight to England, the Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington plots, Walsingham's spy network, and Mary's execution in 1587.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers the single greatest political danger of Elizabeth's reign in Eduqas's Component 1 British study in depth. You need to explain why Mary Queen of Scots threatened Elizabeth, how she came to be in England from 1568, the major Catholic plots (Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington), the role of Sir Francis Walsingham's spy network, and the reasons for and consequences of Mary's execution in 1587. Because the depth study uses interpretation questions, learn this well enough to argue how serious the threat really was.
Why Mary was a threat
Mary's flight to England, 1568
The major plots
Walsingham's spy network and the trap
The execution of Mary, 1587
Try this
Q1. How did Walsingham gather proof of Mary's involvement in the Babington Plot? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. His agents intercepted and decoded the coded letters smuggled to and from Mary in beer barrels; in them she approved the assassination of Elizabeth, giving the written proof needed to try her.
Q2. Explain why Elizabeth was reluctant to execute Mary. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Mary was an anointed queen and a relative, so executing her set a dangerous precedent for killing monarchs, and it risked provoking Catholic Spain and France, which is why Elizabeth delayed for months before signing the warrant.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas C100 20184 marksDescribe two features of the Babington Plot of 1586.Show worked answer →
The depth-study opener (4 marks, two features, 2 marks each). Reward two distinct, developed features.
Feature one. Anthony Babington and a group of Catholic gentlemen planned to assassinate Elizabeth and put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne, with the promise of a Spanish invasion to support them.
Feature two. The plotters wrote to Mary in coded letters smuggled in beer barrels; Walsingham's agents intercepted and decoded them, gaining the proof that Mary had approved Elizabeth's murder.
Top marks. Two separate features, each with a precise supporting detail.
Eduqas C100 202016 marks'Mary Queen of Scots was the main threat to Elizabeth before 1587.' How far do you agree with this interpretation? [This question carries marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar.]Show worked answer →
The depth-study interpretations essay (16 marks, AO1, AO2 and AO4, with SPaG marked). Cap shown is 16 to fit the schema; the real Eduqas essay tariff sits at the top of Component 1. Build a balanced argument and reach a supported judgement.
Agree. Mary was a Catholic claimant with a strong hereditary right; she was the focus of every major plot (Ridolfi, Throckmorton, Babington) and a Spanish invasion to enthrone her was a constant danger, so while she lived Elizabeth was never safe.
Disagree. Other threats were arguably greater: the missionary priests and the wider Catholic revival, the power of Spain, and the danger of foreign invasion existed with or without Mary, and the Armada came after her death. Mary was a figurehead, not the only cause.
Judgement. Decide how far Mary was the main threat. A strong line is that she was the focus that linked the domestic plots to foreign powers, which is why removing her in 1587 was felt to be necessary even though wider Catholic dangers remained. Write accurately to secure the SPaG marks.
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Sources & how we know this
- WJEC Eduqas GCSE History (C100) specification — WJEC Eduqas (2016)