Plots and rebellions faced by Elizabeth I

Stability of Elizabeth's reign

• To what extent did the plots and rebellions faced by the Crown during the reign of Elizabeth pose a real threat to the stability of the Elizabethan state?
• Context - Elizabeth's reign started in the midst of the 'mid-Tudor' crisis.
• All Tudor monarchs faced rebellions
• Faced with the issue of trying to solve religious divisions, it could have been expected that Elizabeth would have faced more rebellions?

The threat of Mary Queen of Scots

• Why was she such a threat to Elizabeth?
• Link to the issue of religion and the succession
• While she was alive, she was a significant threat to Elizabeth as Catholics had a ready made replacement for her

Rebellion of the Northern Earls 1569

• Link to the threat posed by Mary and poor relations with Spain
• What happened?
• Plot was not that successful - the North of England was always difficult for Tudor monarchs to control
• Elizabeth's reaction? Was harsh (800 executed) but used to opportunity to reform the Council of the North to establish her control

Ridolfi Plot 1571

• Again the plot surrounded Mary
• Cecil exposes the plot through his network of spies - shows Elizabeth's position is relatively secure?
• Duke of Norfolk was executed - shows that Parliament considered the threat to be very real that one of the leading noblemen was executed

Throckmorton Plot 1583-84

• Catholic threat can be seen by Papal bull that declared that anyone who assassinated Elizabeth would be doing God's service - link to situation with Spain
• Again Spain was involved in the plot
• But details were uncovered by Elizabeth's network of spies
• Mary is moved to a more secure location

The Babington Plot 1586

• Can be considered to be the most significant attempt to replace Elizabeth with Mary
• But once again it was discovered easily
• However - this time it led to the execution of Mary (only after Elizabeth delayed once again)
• Link to foreign policy - major cause of the Spanish Armada which clearly was a threat to Elizabeth

Ireland

• Religious differences were always going to cause issue - Elizabeth also wanted a policy of 'Englishness' in religious and secular issues
• Rebellions against English rule 1569 to 1573 and 1579 to 1582 - this again can be linked to foreign policy and the threat from Spain
• Most significant rebellion came in Ulster in 1595 and was led by Hugh O'Neill
• Spain tried to intervene and the rebels were successful at the Battle of Yellow Ford in 1598

Ireland

• Serious situation for Elizabeth - an independent Catholic Ireland could be used as a base for Spain to attack
• Sent the Earl of Essex to deal with this but an absolute disaster
• Lord Mountjoy was more successful - Tyrone was defeated at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. Peace terms were agreed in 1603

Social discontent

• Elizabethan authorities feared rebellions caused by poverty
• 'Undeserving' poor were treated very harshly
• Food riots took place in London, Kent, Hampshire and Norfolk
• Fear is shown by harsh reaction to the 'Oxfordshire Rising' of 1596 - an ill-thought scheme by 4 men motivated by their poverty
• In reality the threat was minimal

Earl of Essex 1601

• Link to factional rivalry at Court - Essex v Cecil
• Essex failed as a military commander in Ireland - deep in financial trouble on his return
• His 'rebellion' was a farce and he was quickly forced to surrender
• However, it showed that Elizabeth was becoming unpopular in the latter part of her reign

Conclusion

• Main threat was clearly from Catholics - Mary Queen of Scots and Spain
• However, Elizabeth was well served by Cecil and Walshingham
• This means rebellions were quickly uncovered and her position was protected
• Little in the way of social rebellions towards her