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 rebellionsFaced 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 successionWhile 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 SpainWhat happened?Plot was not that successful - the North of England was always difficult for Tudor monarchs to controlElizabeth'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 MaryCecil 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 SpainAgain Spain was involved in the plot But details were uncovered by Elizabeth's network of spiesMary is moved to a more secure location

The Babington Plot 1586

Can be considered to be the most significant attempt to replace Elizabeth with MaryBut once again it was discovered easilyHowever - 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 issuesRebellions against English rule 1569 to 1573 and 1579 to 1582 - this again can be linked to foreign policy and the threat from SpainMost significant rebellion came in Ulster in 1595 and was led by Hugh O'NeillSpain 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 attackSent the Earl of Essex to deal with this but an absolute disasterLord 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 harshlyFood riots took place in London, Kent, Hampshire and NorfolkFear is shown by harsh reaction to the 'Oxfordshire Rising' of 1596 - an ill-thought scheme by 4 men motivated by their povertyIn reality the threat was minimal

Earl of Essex 1601

Link to factional rivalry at Court - Essex v CecilEssex failed as a military commander in Ireland  - deep in financial trouble on his returnHis 'rebellion' was a farce and he was quickly forced to surrenderHowever, 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 SpainHowever, Elizabeth was well served by Cecil and WalshinghamThis means rebellions were quickly uncovered and her position was protectedLittle in the way of social rebellions towards her