{"id":1829,"date":"2018-01-09T16:23:51","date_gmt":"2018-01-09T16:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/?page_id=1829"},"modified":"2026-05-13T16:47:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T16:47:57","slug":"plots-rebellions-elizabethan-age","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/british-history\/elizabethan-era\/plots-rebellions-elizabethan-age\/","title":{"rendered":"Plots and Rebellions in the Elizabethan Age"},"content":{"rendered":"

Elizabeth’s reign saw a number of plots and rebellions. The plots came from a number of sources: disgruntled nobles; Catholics and from overseas. Plots often had an aim of removing Elizabeth from power and replacing her with Mary, Queen of Scots<\/a>. Many were motivated by Religious belief. Often funded by powerful leaders from overseas, the plots posed a significant risk to Elizabeth’s crown. The best documented of the plots are the Northern Rebellion; Barge Incident; Ridolfi Plot; Throgmorton Plot and the Babington Plot.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Babington<\/a><\/p>\n

Plots and Rebellions in the Elizabethan Age<\/h2>\n

The Northern Rebellion<\/h3>\n

In 1569 the Earls of Westmoreland and Northumberland rose in revolt. The pair had seen their influence in court dwindle following the accession of Elizabeth. They were both Catholic and were further estranged as a result of Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement<\/a> and the rise of Protestants within court. With the situation in Scotland becoming troublesome for the English crown, the lords had an opportunity. Mary, Queen of Scots<\/a> was in exile in Northern England. She was a legitimate, Catholic, Queen and in the eyes of many the rightful occupant of the English throne. Perhaps sensing that there was a good opportunity to gather a large supporting force of Catholics and Scots, maybe even with foreign assistance, the Earls rose. The Rebellion was relatively short-lived. They did seize Durham Cathedral and celebrate a Roman Catholic Mass there. However as they marched south the Crown responded. Rumours within the Rebel camp suggested that a large Royal force had been assembled to face them. It is quite likely that the rebels overestimated the size of this force. Even so, it led them to make a hasty retreat.<\/p>\n

See also<\/strong> – Society and Government in 1558<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rebellion was quite poorly organised. The march south began before all of Northumberland’s men had arrived. It lacked cohesion and effective leadership. If the expectation was that other Northern nobles would join the Rebellion, then the leaders were to be disappointed as not many did. Assistance did not come from Scotland, France or Spain before the rebellion had petered out either.<\/p>\n