The Ridolfi Plot, 1571 (Edexcel GCSE History)

How did the Ridolfi Plot Challenge Elizabeth? - Summary

After the Revolt of the Northern Earls, most Catholics conformed to Elizabeth’s rules. She released an Act of Parliament that widened the definition of treason. Under the new law, treason included calling Elizabeth a heretic or claiming she was not the queen. There remained a significant threat to Elizabeth’s safety from English and foreign Catholics. In 1570, the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth through a papal bull. He called upon loyal Catholics to depose Elizabeth. 

From 1571 to 1586, Elizabeth faced a series of Catholic plots against her rule. All of the plots centred around replacing Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots. This would revert England’s official religion to Catholicism. Ridolfi’s plan had gained the support of Spain. Their offer to send troops to England showed that it had the potential to succeed.

The Ridolfi Plot taught Elizabeth that there was a serious Catholic threat within England and from abroad. She increased her surveillance of Mary and tightened laws against Catholics. The plot marked the beginning of several serious attempts to assassinate and depose Elizabeth.

What Happened in the Ridolfi Plot?

• The table below explains the identity of the plotters and their role in the Ridolfi Plot:

Key Individuals Involved in the Ridolfi Plot

Details of the Ridolfi Plot

• The flow diagram below shows Ridolfi’s plan to overthrow Elizabeth:

The step-by-step plan of the Ridolfi Plot 

What happened in the Ridolfi Plot?

• In March 1571, Ridolfi travelled to the Spanish Netherlands

  • He met with the Pope, Philip II and the Duke of Alba

  • He had in his possession a signed letter from the Duke of Norfolk. The letter confirmed that Norfolk was a Catholic and would lead a rebellion against Elizabeth with Philip’s support

    • Historians have debated whether the letter was authentic. Some historians think Ridolfi was a double agent. They believe Elizabeth's government hired Ridolfi to trap the Duke of Norfolk in a Catholic plot. 

    • Elizabeth released Norfolk after the Revolt of the Northern Earls. This annoyed her government. The evidence would force Elizabeth to execute Norfolk for treason

• The meeting was a success for Ridolfi

  • He secured Philip’s support. He agreed to send the Duke of Alba and 10,000 men to England when Norfolk required them

    • Historians are unsure about how genuine this support was. Alba wrote to Philip that Spain should only send troops to England if Norfolk succeeded in overthrowing Elizabeth

• Sir William Cecil uncovered Ridolfi’s plot in the Autumn of 1571

  • Norfolk’s servants betrayed the plan when under interrogation

  • Cecil also had evidence in the form of coded letters in the Duke of Norfolk’s house

  • The Duke of Norfolk was arrested in September 1571

• Ridolfi’s plan was never enacted

  • Cecil foiled the plan before it began

  • Ridolfi was not in England when Cecil discovered the plot. He never returned to England so he did not face the repercussions of his actions

The Significance of the Ridolfi Plot

• The table below shows the short- and long-term consequences of the Ridolfi Plot

Consequences of the Ridolfi Plot 

The 1581 Laws Against Catholics

• The increased presence and risk of Catholicism in England caused Elizabeth to act

• In 1581, her parliament released two anti-Catholic laws. These were:

  • An increase in the recusancy fine to £20

    • Originally, it was a one-shilling fine. There were 12 pence in a shilling. The fine could equal a week’s pay for an Elizabethan worker

    • A £20 fine would bankrupt most Elizabethan families

  • The extension of the definition of treason to converting people to Catholicism

    • This showed that Elizabeth no longer believed in allowing Catholics to worship privately in their households

• These new laws increased the persecution of English Catholics. It did not stop Catholic plots against Elizabeth