History · Year 12 · Elizabeth I: The Early Years and the Via Media · Summer Term

The Challenge of Mary Queen of Scots (Arrival)

Mary's arrival in England in 1568 and the dilemma she posed for Elizabeth.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• A-Level: History - Elizabeth I: Mary Queen of Scots
• A-Level: History - The Tudors: England, 1485–1603

About This Topic

The arrival of Mary, Queen of Scots, in England in 1568 transformed the political landscape. As a legitimate Catholic claimant to the English throne, Mary became the focal point for every plot and rebellion against Elizabeth for the next twenty years. This topic examines the 'dilemma' Mary posed: Elizabeth could not return her to Scotland (where she was accused of murder), she could not send her to France (where she would be a tool of the Guise family), and she could not keep her in England without inviting constant conspiracy.

For Year 12 students, this is a study in the 'unsolvable problem' and the tension between dynastic legitimacy and national security. It connects to themes of rebellion and foreign policy. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of 'conspiracy', analyzing the various plots (like the Ridolfi and Babington plots) to see how Mary's presence radicalized the English Catholic community.

Key Questions

1. Explain why Mary Stuart was a more credible threat than previous pretenders.
2. Analyze how Mary's presence galvanized English Catholics.
3. Evaluate whether Elizabeth's treatment of Mary in the 1560s was legally justifiable.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the immediate political and religious implications of Mary Stuart's arrival in England in 1568.
• Evaluate the extent to which Mary Stuart constituted a credible threat to Elizabeth I's reign compared to earlier claimants.
• Explain how Mary Stuart's presence galvanized English Catholic opposition to Elizabeth I.
• Critique the legal and ethical justifications for Elizabeth I's treatment of Mary Stuart during the 1560s.

Before You Start

The English Reformation and Religious Division

Why: Students need to understand the religious landscape of England and the establishment of Protestantism to grasp the significance of a Catholic claimant.

Elizabeth I's Early Reign and the Religious Settlement

Why: Knowledge of Elizabeth's initial challenges and the 'Via Media' provides essential context for the disruption Mary's arrival caused.

Key Vocabulary

Legitimate claimant	An individual with a recognized legal right to inherit a throne or title, often based on lineage.
Catholic threat	The perceived danger posed by English Catholics who remained loyal to the Pope and often viewed Mary Stuart as the rightful monarch.
Conspiracy	A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful, particularly in this context, to overthrow Elizabeth I and place Mary Stuart on the throne.
Dilemma	A situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives, as faced by Elizabeth regarding Mary's fate.
Via Media	The 'middle way' of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, aiming to reconcile Protestant and Catholic traditions, which Mary's presence challenged.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Elizabeth I wanted to execute Mary from the start.

What to Teach Instead

Elizabeth actually resisted executing Mary for nearly 20 years, even when her ministers and Parliament were screaming for it. Active analysis of Elizabeth's 'procrastination' helps students see her deep-seated belief in the 'sacred' nature of kingship and her fear of setting a precedent for killing a monarch.

Common Misconception

Mary, Queen of Scots, was an 'innocent victim' of Elizabeth's jealousy.

What to Teach Instead

While Mary was a prisoner, she was also an active conspirator who was involved in multiple plots to depose or assassinate Elizabeth. Peer discussion of the 'Babington Plot' evidence helps students see that Mary was a willing participant in her own 'dangerous' game.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Casket Letters

In small groups, students analyze the 'Casket Letters', the evidence used to link Mary to the murder of her husband, Lord Darnley. They must debate whether the letters were 'genuine' or 'forgeries' and discuss how Elizabeth used this ambiguity to keep Mary in prison without a trial.

45 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game: The Queen's Council, 1568

Students role-play a council meeting following Mary's arrival. They must brainstorm the 'pros and cons' of four options: execute her, restore her to the Scottish throne, send her to France, or keep her in 'honorable' captivity. They must try to reach a consensus while Elizabeth remains undecided.

50 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: A Credible Threat?

Students analyze Mary's claim to the throne. They discuss in pairs why Mary was a more 'dangerous' threat than previous pretenders (like Warbeck) and share their findings with the class.

25 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Intelligence analysts today face similar dilemmas when managing individuals or groups perceived as national security threats, balancing security measures with individual rights.
• International relations specialists often navigate complex situations involving refugees or political exiles whose presence in a host country can create diplomatic tensions and internal security concerns, similar to Mary's situation.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are an advisor to Elizabeth I in 1568. Present three distinct options for dealing with Mary Stuart's arrival, outlining the potential benefits and risks of each.' Facilitate a class debate on the most prudent course of action.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short primary source excerpt describing a Catholic reaction to Mary's arrival. Ask them to identify two specific phrases that demonstrate how her presence galvanized opposition and explain their significance in 1-2 sentences.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, students should write one sentence explaining why Mary Stuart was a more credible threat than previous pretenders. Then, they should list one specific consequence of her being held in England.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Mary, Queen of Scots, flee to England?

Mary fled to England in 1568 after being defeated in a civil war by her own Protestant nobles. She hoped that her 'cousin' Elizabeth would provide her with an army to help her regain her throne. Instead, Elizabeth imprisoned her, fearing that Mary would use her presence in England to rally Catholic support for her own claim to the English crown.

What were the 'Casket Letters'?

The Casket Letters were a series of letters and poems allegedly written by Mary to her lover, the Earl of Bothwell, which suggested she had helped him murder her husband, Lord Darnley. While their authenticity is still debated, Elizabeth used them as a legal excuse to keep Mary in custody while 'investigating' her guilt, a process that lasted for decades.

How did Mary's presence affect English Catholics?

Mary's presence gave English Catholics a 'legitimate' alternative to Elizabeth. Before 1568, many Catholics had been willing to conform to Elizabeth's church, but Mary's arrival, and her status as a Catholic martyr-in-waiting, encouraged many to become 'recusants' and to look to Spain or France for help in restoring the old faith.

How can active learning help students understand the Mary Stuart problem?

The Mary Stuart problem is a classic 'no-win' situation. Active learning strategies, like the 'Queen's Council' simulation, help students understand the 'paralysis' of the Elizabethan government. By trying to find a solution that doesn't lead to war or rebellion, students realize why Elizabeth 'dithered' for so long and why the problem was ultimately only solvable through Mary's death.