| Threat | Date | Key Details | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pope excommunicates Elizabeth | 1570 | Bull Regnans in Excelsis — declared Elizabeth a heretic, released Catholics from obedience to her | Made English Catholics potentially treasonous; intensified persecution |
| Ridolfi Plot | 1571 | Roberto Ridolfi + Duke of Norfolk planned to assassinate Elizabeth, replace with Mary Queen of Scots + Spanish invasion | Uncovered by Cecil; Norfolk executed 1572; Mary kept imprisoned |
| Edmund Campion executed | 1581 | Jesuit priest captured after 12 months in hiding; tortured; hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn | Became Catholic martyr; deterred some priests, radicalised others |
| Throckmorton Plot | 1583 | Francis Throckmorton acting as agent for Mary Queen of Scots + Spain and France | Walsingham's agents uncovered it; Throckmorton executed |
| Babington Plot | 1586 | Anthony Babington planned to kill Elizabeth; letters intercepted by Walsingham through a beer barrel, implicating Mary Queen of Scots directly | Babington and conspirators executed; Mary tried and condemned |
| Mary Queen of Scots executed | 8 Feb 1587 | Mary had been in English custody since 1568. Her explicit approval of Babington Plot finally gave Elizabeth legal grounds to act | Removed the focal point of Catholic conspiracy; infuriated Philip II of Spain |
| Spanish Armada | 1588 | 130 Spanish ships; Drake's raid on Cadiz 1587 delayed preparations. English fireships at Gravelines; storms scattered fleet | English victory; 51 of 130 ships survived; 20,000 Spanish died |
| Essex Rebellion | 1601 | Earl of Essex, former favourite, led 300 followers into London streets after being stripped of his offices | Collapsed immediately; Essex executed. Showed limits of Elizabeth's authority in her final years |
This key facts covers Key Evidence: Threats to Elizabeth within The Elizabethans, 1580-1603 for GCSE History. Revise The Elizabethans, 1580-1603 in Component Group 3 — British Depth Studies for GCSE History with 14 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 4 of 16 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for The Elizabethans, 1580-1603
Describe three features of Elizabeth I's government and court in the years 1580-1603. [3 marks]
Describe three features of the Catholic threat to Elizabeth between 1580 and 1603. [3 marks]
Quick recall flashcards
What was recusancy and what was the fine from 1581?
Recusancy was the refusal to attend Church of England services. From 1581, the fine was raised to £20 per month for gentry recusants — a huge sum. Used to financially weaken Catholic families as well as punish non-attendance.
When was Mary Queen of Scots executed, and why?
8 February 1587 at Fotheringhay Castle. She had been in English custody since 1568. Her written approval of the Babington Plot (1586) — intercepted by Walsingham — gave Elizabeth legal grounds to act.