Catholic plots - Ridolfi, Throckmorton, Babington
The rebellion of the Northern Earls and the Papal Bull of Excommunication proved to the Privy Council that Mary, Queen of Scotsâs presence in England was a problem.
During the next 15 years the Catholic threat to Elizabeth increased with a succession of plots against her. Walsinghamâs spy network now played a crucial role in discovering and dealing with these threats.
The Ridolfi Plot 1571
In 1571, Roberto di Ridolfi, an Italian Catholic banker, was accused of trying to arrange the marriage of Mary to the Duke of Norfolk, an English noble who was also Elizabethâs cousin.
The plan was for English Catholics to overthrow Elizabeth with help from Spain, for Mary to marry Norfolk and the country to be returned to Catholicism.
However, Cecil and Walsinghamâs discovery of the plot led to the execution of Norfolk in 1572.
The Throckmorton Plot 1583
In 1582, Walsingham heard rumours of a plot involving some Scottish Priests who were specifically trained to convert or reconvert people to Catholicism., the Spanish Ambassador de Mendoza and Mary. He discovered the link between them was a young English Catholic, Francis Throckmorton.
Throckmorton was arrested and under torture confessed to a plot in which France and Spain would invade England, release Mary and make her queen.
He was executed and Mary was moved to more secure accommodation at Tutbury Castle, being guarded by a strict An extreme Protestant. They wanted to purify the Church further and remove all elements of Catholicism., Sir Amias Paulet.
The Babington Plot 1586
Walsinghamâs spy network had been busy for over 15 years and in 1586, he was able to provide Elizabeth with proof of Maryâs direct involvement in a plot.
A young English Catholic nobleman, Sir Anthony Babington, became the centre of a plot to assassinate Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne.
Coded letters were discovered between Babington and Mary, offering to kill Elizabeth and keeping her informed of the progress of plot. Maryâs replies of acknowledgement were the proof Walsingham needed to directly implicate Mary in the plot.
In August 1586, Babington was arrested and under torture confessed to the plot. He and six other plotters were executed, despite his offer of ÂŁ1,000 to Elizabeth to spare him.