Mary & Elizabeth I's Relationship, 1568-1569 (Edexcel GCSE History)

Did Elizabeth Make the Right Decision About Mary, Queen of Scots? - Summary

When Mary arrived in England in 1568, Elizabeth had a difficult decision to make. Elizabeth could protect Mary and help her regain her Scottish throne. She could charge Mary with the murder of Lord Darnley and punish her. 

Each option available to Elizabeth presented different opportunities and challenges. Elizabeth had to consider the religious tensions within England. Many English Catholics considered Mary, Queen of Scots the true Queen of England. Helping a Catholic monarch would cause outrage in the government and amongst Protestants. She also had to judge the risk posed by foreign powers. The punishment of Mary, Queen of Scots could trigger a violent retaliation. This could originate from the Pope or Catholic powers like Spain. 

An issue that complicated the situation further was Mary’s insistence to be named Elizabeth’s heir. Some historians believe that Elizabeth refused to name Mary her heir because she was jealous of Mary’s looks. Other historians argue that Elizabeth’s decision was political. Naming Mary the heir to the English throne would make Mary a danger to Elizabeth. Mary potentially killed her husband, Lord Darnley. Elizabeth was unsure if Mary would use similar means to become Queen of England. Elizabeth wanted to avoid zealous Catholics plotting to usurp her for Mary.

Elizabeth's Reaction to Mary's Arrival

• Mary’s arrival in England in 1568 worried Elizabeth

  • She knew that Mary wanted her support to overthrow the rebellious nobles who had taken control of Scotland

  • She did not trust Mary. Elizabeth knew her intentions were to be named her heir

  • Mary’s damaged reputation worried Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s association with Mary could ruin her own reputation

• Mary corresponded with Elizabeth by letter

  • Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots never met, despite Mary’s request for a meeting with Elizabeth

• Mary wanted to explain to Elizabeth her innocence in the murder of Lord Darnley. Elizabeth was wary of discussing this because:

  • She was unsure if she could believe Mary’s version of events

    • Mary claimed she had not planned Darnley’s murder, despite being unhappy in the marriage

    • Mary, Queen of Scots claimed that Bothwell had kidnapped her and forced her into the marriage. These were serious allegations

  • An English court was about to hear Mary’s case. They would decide if she was guilty of Darnley’s murder

What Options Did Elizabeth I Have?

• Elizabeth and her advisers considered multiple solutions to the ‘problem’ of Mary, Queen of Scots

What could Elizabeth choose to do with Mary, Queen of Scots?

Elizabeth's Decision About Mary

• The English court lasted from October 1568 to January 1569

  • The Scottish nobles brought letters as evidence

    • These were called the ‘casket letters’, alleged correspondence between Mary and the Earl of Bothwell

    • The content of the letters indicated that Mary had plotted with Bothwell to kill Darnley 

• Mary undermined the power of the court

  • She stated that, as an anointed monarch, only God could judge her

  • Mary refused to offer a plea unless Elizabeth could guarantee an innocent verdict. Elizabeth refused to promise this

• Elizabeth could not allow the English court to make a decision about whether Mary was guilty of murdering Lord Darnley. An innocent or guilty verdict for Mary was dangerous for Elizabeth because:

  • If found guilty, Elizabeth would be responsible for overthrowing an anointed monarch. Her actions would validate that the people had the power to choose their monarch. This went against her belief in Divine Right

  • If found innocent, Mary could gain support from a Catholic country to overthrow Elizabeth

• She decided to imprison Mary indefinitely

  • Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned for 19 years

  • She never saw her son James again