Mary Queen of Scots
Why Mary Queen of Scots was such a danger to Elizabeth: a Catholic cousin with a claim to the throne, held prisoner for years, a magnet for plots, and the long-avoided decision to put her on trial and execute her, and what followed.
Use it, the way the marks are given
Free interactive practice at using the material, which is what the marks are for.
Start revising freeWhat you'll cover
A dangerous cousin
Mary Queen of Scots was a Catholic and a cousin of Elizabeth, and she had a strong claim to the throne of England. In 1568 she fled Scotland and came to England seeking help, but Elizabeth saw the danger and kept her under house arrest for many years. As a Catholic with a claim, Mary became the focus for plots to overthrow Elizabeth and make Mary queen. This module looks at why Mary was such a threat, the plots around her, and the long-delayed decision to put her on trial and execute her.
Words for the challenge
Learn these before you sort any event, because the exam treats Mary as a serious political threat.
To execute Mary or not
The decision over Mary was hard, and a strong answer weighs both sides rather than assuming it was easy.
How to answer on Mary
Show why Mary was dangerous: a Catholic with a claim made her the rallying point for anyone who wanted to remove Elizabeth. Tie the plots to that wider religious danger rather than treating them as gossip. When you reach the execution, weigh the decision, because Elizabeth hesitated for years to put a fellow monarch to death. Then explain what followed, both the removal of the threat and the anger abroad. Judge, do not just narrate.
Match the term to its meaning
- a claim to the throne
- house arrest
- the Babington plot
- Walsingham
- a right to become the next monarch
- being held prisoner in a castle for years
- the plot of 1586 that led to the trial of Mary
- the spymaster whose network uncovered the plots
Why was Mary a threat?
Why was Mary Queen of Scots seen as such a threat to Elizabeth?
- She was a Catholic with a claim to the throne, so plotters rallied around her.
- She led a large army openly against England.
- She was a strict Protestant reformer.
- She was a poor commoner with no status.
True of Mary Queen of Scots?
Select the TWO statements that are true of Mary Queen of Scots.
- She was a Catholic cousin of Elizabeth
- She was held under house arrest for years in England
- She was a leading Puritan preacher
- She was crowned Queen of England
Count the plots left
There were 3 major Catholic plots linked to Mary that a student must learn: Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington. So far the student can name 1 of them. Subtract to find how many plots are still to be learned. What is the answer?
Order the story of Mary
Put the events in the story of Mary Queen of Scots in order, earliest first.
- Mary flees Scotland and comes to England
- Elizabeth keeps Mary under house arrest
- Mary becomes the focus of Catholic plots
- The Babington plot is uncovered and Mary is tried and executed
Complete the story
Mary was a _____ cousin of Elizabeth with a claim to the throne, which made her dangerous. Elizabeth kept her under house _____ for years. Mary became the focus of several _____ to overthrow Elizabeth. After the Babington plot was uncovered, Mary was put on trial and, in 1587, faced _____.
Match the cause to its result
- Mary held a Catholic claim to the throne
- the Babington plot was uncovered
- Mary was found guilty at her trial
- Mary was executed in 1587
- plotters gathered around her to remove Elizabeth
- clear evidence against Mary was found
- Parliament pressed for her to be put to death
- Catholic powers abroad were angered
Spot the true Mary facts
Tap the TWO statements that are true about Mary Queen of Scots.
- A Catholic claim to the throne made Mary a focus for plots
- Mary was tried and executed after the Babington plot
- Mary invaded England with a large Scottish army
- Elizabeth freed Mary as soon as she arrived
Judge the case
Read each case and choose the best answer.
- A student asks why plotters kept rallying around Mary. Which answer is strongest?
- Elizabeth delayed for a long time before agreeing to execute Mary. Why did she hesitate?
- What was one important impact of the execution of Mary in 1587?
Explain the threat of Mary
Explain why Mary Queen of Scots was a threat to Elizabeth and why the decision to execute her was so difficult.
- Explain the background of Mary and her claim to the throne
- Explain why she became the focus of Catholic plots
- Explain the part played by the Babington plot and Walsingham
- Explain why Elizabeth hesitated to execute a fellow monarch
- Finish with a judgement on the impact of the execution