Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2016
Last exams 2025
Mary, Queen of Scots' Execution, 1587 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
The Situation Around and Reasons for Mary’s Execution in 1587 - Timeline & Summary
Mary caused issues for Elizabeth from her arrival in England in 1568. Elizabeth did not know how to deal with Mary. Her government pressured Elizabeth to find Mary guilty of murdering her husband, Lord Darnley. They believed that Mary would remain a constant threat to Protestant England if Elizabeth did not punish her. Elizabeth had to consider the religious tensions within England. Many English Catholics believed Mary was the true Queen of England. Elizabeth also had to judge the risk posed by foreign powers. The punishment of Mary, Queen of Scots could trigger a violent retaliation from Catholic countries such as Spain.
Elizabeth’s decision about Mary became easier in 1587. By 1586, England and Spain were effectively at war. Elizabeth prepared England for an impending Spanish invasion. The prosecution of Mary would add to, rather than cause, Spanish aggression. Another important event was the Babington Plot. The work of Sir Francis Walsingham was pivotal in proving Mary’s involvement in Catholic plots against Elizabeth. Her letters to Babington provided substantial evidence that Mary was dangerous. If Elizabeth did not punish her, Mary might succeed in deposing Elizabeth.
Elizabeth signed Mary’s death warrant in February 1587. After Mary’s execution, she claimed she had no knowledge of signing the warrant as other papers hid it from view. Elizabeth was uncomfortable with the concept of killing an anointed monarch. She worried about the reaction of Mary’s son, James VI of Scotland. By apologising and blaming her government for Mary’s execution, she retained her alliance with Scotland.
Why Was Mary, Queen of Scots Executed?
Elizabeth’s Privy Council declared Mary guilty of high treason in October 1586
There had been three major Catholic plots against Elizabeth’s life between 1571 and 1586. Mary was the focus of all three plots
The government finally had the evidence needed to prove Mary’s wrongdoing
Elizabeth hesitated in signing the death warrant
Elizabeth distracted her councillors with other matters than the execution of Mary
The Privy Council begged Elizabeth to sign the warrant in February 1587
The execution of Mary happened on 8th February 1587
Elizabeth denied she knowingly signed Mary’s death warrant
Historians are certain that Elizabeth knew she had authorised Mary’s execution
She told Mary’s son, James VI of Scotland, that she never wanted or ordered the execution
Elizabeth refused to speak to William Cecil for a month
Why did Elizabeth decide to execute Mary by 1587?
Worked Example
Describe one feature of Elizabeth's decision to execute Mary in 1587
2 marks
Answers:
One feature of Elizabeth's decision to execute Mary in 1587 was the evidence collected by Walsingham (1). Walsingham intercepted and decoded Mary’s letters to Babington. This proved to Elizabeth that Mary was involved in Catholic plots against her (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
When answering ‘Describe one feature of…’ questions, two marks are given to you for:
Identify - write a relevant point based on the question topic.
Describe - add some specific own knowledge about the point you have made.
This question previously asked students to describe two features of a given event. This question was out of four marks. However, as of 2025, Edexcel will split this question into two subsections, asking you to describe a feature of two different events. Each subsection is worth two marks.
What Was the Significance of Mary, Queen of Scots' Execution?
Consequences of the Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots | |
Short-term consequences | Long-term consequences |
Elizabeth felt guilty about the execution of an anointed monarch. Elizabeth imprisoned William Davidson for 18 months in the Tower of London. Davidson had passed Mary’s death warrant to Cecil | Mary had a strong claim to the English throne. She rallied many English Catholics to disobey Elizabeth. Her execution finally removed a significant threat to Elizabeth’s reign |
Since 1585, Spain wanted to invade England. Mary bestowed her claim to the English throne onto Philip II upon her death. This gave more motivation for Spain to attack England | The threat of Catholic plots ended after the death of Mary. The Pope reinforced his papal bull against Elizabeth in 1588. Most English Catholics remained loyal to Elizabeth |
The impact of Mary, Queen of Scots' execution
Examiner Tips and Tricks
An exam question could ask you to explain how important Mary’s execution was as a cause of war between Spain and England.
The execution of Mary gave Philip a genuine reason to invade England. In the 16th century, Spain led a Counter-Reformation across Europe to strengthen Catholicism.
The execution of a Catholic monarch reinforced the need for Spain’s attack on Protestantism. Historians cannot ignore that Philip was planning an invasion before Mary’s execution.
Other factors caused conflict between England and Spain. These included England’s support of Protestant rebels in the Spanish Netherlands. Mary’s execution was an excuse rather than a reason for Spain’s invasion of England.
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