How significant were domestic threats to the development of English diplomacy 1572-1588?

How significant were domestic threats to the development of English diplomacy 1572-1588?

1. Domestic threats

   • Ridolfi Plot in 1571
     • Norfolk was involved
     • Links with Spain in England
   • Seminary priests arrived in 1574
     • Challenged Protestant thinkers
     • Primary objective was religion
     • They were an "enemy within"
     • Showed Elizabeth's weakness if she ignored them
     • Could rise up with backing from the Spanish Armada of Pope
   • Jesuits arrived in 1580
     • Re-converted people into Catholics
     • Shows active religious opposition not just in theory but in practice
     • Walsingham easily found out Jesuit priests, little opposition
       • Eg Edmund Campion was arrested in July 1581 and executed in December because he refused to renounce Catholicism
     • The numerous Acts passed through Parliament to try and outlaw the actions of priests and Jesuits shows that Elizabeth was worried about religious opposition or a rising
       • Eg 1581 Act to retain the Queen's Majesty's Subjects in their due Obedience declared it was treason to seek to convert a subject to Catholicism
       • But could arguably also show that they later became of no threat as they could now be dealt with easily
       • 250 people executed: both significant or not significant
     • With hindsight, the fact that there was no revolt against Elizabeth's religious policy so it shows that they were of no significant threat as they remained loyal to Elizabeth
   • The Treaty of Berwick 1586
     • Shows a fundamental fear of a Scottish-Spanish alliance so trying to appease James
     • However, James was willing to create he alliance which secured the succession and relations with Scotland
   • Babington Plot
     • Involved Mary. Queen of Scots, Catholic gentry Anthony Babington, Philip and the Pope
     • Was an opportunity to execute Mary
   • Throckmorton Plot 1583-6
     • Involved Scotland, France and Spain and English Francis Throckmorton
     • Control of Scotland would be used as a means of invasion to replace Elizabeth with Mary
     • Showed that an invasion from abroad could be easily aided from within
   • Mary, Queen of Scots
     • Her

2. Spanish threats

3. French relations

4. Relation with the Pope

   • Excommunicated Elizabeth in 1570
   • Pope was involved in Babington Plot