Elizabethan Rebellions: Conspiracy, Intrigue and Treason by Helene Harrison

Author:Helene Harrison
Format: epub

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One of the most important things to emerge from the Throckmorton Plot was the Act for the Queen’s Safety which came from the so-called Bond of Association. This Act became law in October 1584 and bound all of its signatories in an oath to prosecute and kill anyone who claimed a title to the throne as a result of the queen’s murder, regardless of whether or not the claimant was personally involved in the plotting. Mary Queen of Scots actually signed it, most likely under duress. It seems unlikely she would have signed it of her own free will, given how involved she had been and would become once more in plotting against Elizabeth I. If discovered plotting against the queen again, Mary would face the full force of the law. The act also prompted Burghley to make plans for an interregnum if Elizabeth died suddenly, but Elizabeth would have no part in these plans.²² It was intended to stop civil war and ensure a smooth succession for whoever would come to the English throne after Elizabeth. As it was, the interregnum plans were not required and the throne passed smoothly to Elizabeth’s successor, James I, on her death in 1603. The Act for the Queen’s Safety would form the basis for Mary’s trial and execution after the Babington Plot in 1586. She would effectively be condemned through her own signature on that document. Mary would protest her innocence to the end, but there was plenty of evidence against her as we will see in the next chapter. The threat from Mary Queen of Scots was ever-growing in the minds of the English and Elizabeth’s advisors would not stop until Mary was dead and no longer a threat.

After theThrockmorton Plot had been uncovered, JamesVI of Scotland decided to use his knowledge of the foreign intrigues surrounding the plot as a bargaining counter with Elizabeth I. However, what this told the English was that the Scottish king had known more about the conspiracy than he had previously admitted to.²³ This could have led to a breakdown in Anglo-Scottish relations, though Elizabeth likely wanted to avoid war with Scotland as war with Spain and involvement in the Netherlands was looking increasingly likely. Avoiding a war on two fronts was the sensible course of action and meant she would not have to split her army. Perhaps Elizabeth also felt a little sorry for James, who had only been released in June 1583 after the Raid of Ruthven. His position was still precarious, and perhaps Elizabeth understood that. Mary’s involvement in the Throckmorton Plot still did not end hopes that she would be able to share the Scottish throne with her son, James VI. The proposition became more attractive as the plot had highlighted the dangers of keeping Mary in England against her will. This plot demonstrated that Mary might be more dangerous imprisoned in England than free and in power in Scotland, which was contrary to an earlier opinion. The safest course of action regarding Mary was still under debate in both England and Scotland at this time.

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