Not Just the Tudors: "Plots against Elizabeth I"

Host: Professor Suzannah Lipscomb
Guest: Professor Jonathan McGovern
Date: March 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the persistent threats and conspiracies faced by Queen Elizabeth I throughout her reign, focusing on both the domestic and international dangers that defined her rule. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by historian and literary scholar Professor Jonathan McGovern to unravel the stories behind the Northern Rebellion, the Ridolfi plot, the Throckmorton and Babington plots, and more. Together, they explore how these threats shaped Elizabeth’s politics, the role of intelligence and statecraft, and the fates of those caught plotting against "the Virgin Queen."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: Elizabeth’s Environment of Conspiracy

• Mary Queen of Scots as a Focal Point: Mary’s arrival in England in 1568 after her deposition in Scotland made her a rallying point for Catholic dissent (07:52).
• Religious Tensions: Only 1% of the population were recusant Catholics, but these were concentrated in significant hotspots (09:16).
• Government Intelligence: Elizabeth's administration, especially via Francis Walsingham (“Elizabeth’s spymaster”), displayed remarkable efficiency in detecting and stifling conspiracies.

The Northern Rebellion (1569)

Timestamps: 07:34–14:46

• Background: Sparked by Mary’s imprisonment after fleeing Scotland; intended to remove Elizabeth and restore Catholicism (07:34).

• Leaders: Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and Charles Neville, Earl of Westmoreland (11:28).

• Scale & Failure: Estimated 6,000 rebels—"not a very big rebellion" compared to previous uprisings (10:40). The attempt fizzled due to lack of support, hasty execution, and swift government action.

• Aftermath: About 500 executed under martial law, leaders faced grim ends, and the rebellion drew papal support after its suppression via the papal bull "Regnans in Excelsis" (15:03).

  "If you went to church in Elizabethan England, the preacher would tell you that rebellion is the greatest sin against God." – Prof. McGovern (08:08)

The Ridolfi Plot (1571)

Timestamps: 15:42–19:23

• Description: Orchestrated by Roberto di Ridolfi, an Italian banker, plotting with Spain and aiming for a Spanish-backed invasion (15:58).

• Discovery and Fallout: The plot was uncovered due to a fortuitous paper trail and timely intelligence; Duke of Norfolk executed (18:50).

• Controversy: Some suggest Walsingham may have manipulated or even fostered the plot as double-agent tactics (18:25).

  "Normally, when you're planning a conspiracy, you don't leave a paper trail." – Prof. McGovern (18:18)

The Quiet Years and the Jesuit Mission

Timestamps: 19:39–22:45

• Turning Point: Jesuit missionaries, notably Edmund Campion and Robert Parsons, arrive in 1580, increasing Catholic activism (19:43).
• Legislation & Repression: Introduction of the Act to Retain the Queen's Majesty's Subjects in Their Due Obedience (1581), making Catholic practice effectively treason (20:31).
• Desperate Measures: Rising paranoia and desperation lead to scattered, less organized attempts, such as John Somerville’s poorly conceived solo plot (21:36).

The Throckmorton Plot (1583)

Timestamps: 25:57–30:54

• Organisation: Led by Francis Throckmorton, planning a French-backed invasion with the Duke of Guise and direct court connections (26:08).

• Evidence and Incrimination: Seized documents detailed likely invasion harbours – clear proof of treason (27:00).

• Government Reaction: Torture was used to extract confessions; the legal and intelligence machine was swift and effective (28:22).

  "The man that deserves the credit...for uncovering these conspiracies is Francis Walsingham. So people call him Elizabeth's spymaster...his official title was secretary—a royal secretary." – Prof. McGovern (29:02)

The Bond of Association (1584)

Timestamps: 30:54–33:01

• Sworn by Elizabeth’s subjects to kill anyone involved in a plot against the queen. Intended as a deterrent, its effectiveness is debated.

• Miniatures of Elizabeth were sometimes worn by signatories as symbols of loyalty.

  "If you really believe that if you commit perjury then you might go to hell, then it's a lot more serious." – Prof. McGovern (32:35)

The Babington Plot (1586)

Timestamps: 33:01–46:35

• Key Players: Anthony Babington (figurehead, not primary leader; Ballard more central), a Derbyshire gentleman, and a network of about 14-30 members (33:04).

• Walsingham’s Role: Deep infiltration—multiple government agents including Gilbert Gifford and Robert Poley. The plot was arguably shepherded by the state as a false-flag operation to finally ensnare Mary Queen of Scots (35:23–38:10).

• Mary’s Involvement: Her letters revealed she endorsed invasion; whether she condoned assassination is more ambiguous (38:42). The famous cipher letter may not have been as pivotal as traditional narratives claim (41:02).

• Crushing the Plot: All known participants executed (14), the spies survived. The initial executions were especially brutal, with some later mitigated by Elizabeth—but only after public horror (43:02).

  "The government helped them to think that this was a credible plan and helped to encourage them, help to incite them, but it was never a credible plan." – Prof. McGovern (43:13)

• Mary Queen of Scots’ Trial: Mary’s fate sealed by the evidence collected, which met contemporary standards—even if today it would be considered weak (44:47).

• Elizabeth’s Hesitation: Elizabeth’s public reluctance to sign Mary’s death warrant was likely political theater (45:46).

  "I think Elizabeth pretended to hesitate about a lot of things...She was playing games with people." – Prof. McGovern (45:46)

Aftermath and Impact on Elizabeth’s Rule

Timestamps: 46:35–48:13

• After Mary’s execution, further plots dwindled—Mary had been the “lightning rod” for Catholic conspiracies (46:35).

• Elizabeth’s ability to survive these threats is credited to her political and personal instincts: combining majesty and ruthlessness, surrounding herself with loyal and capable advisers, and maintaining both hard power and public loyalty (47:18).

  "She was manifestly a queen, but she was also manifestly a king, and she knew how to play at both of those things...combining those functions together is why she was such an amazing and special queen." – Prof. McGovern (47:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Rebellion and Religion:

  "Rebellion is the puddle and sink of all sins." – Prof. McGovern (08:08)

• On Conspiracies and Government Control:

  "For some historians, this suggests that the government had a role in organizing all of these things." – Prof. McGovern (29:02)

• On Walsingham’s Tactics:

  "The traditional narrative probably does need some revision." – Prof. McGovern (41:02)

Important Timestamps

• Intro to Elizabeth’s conspiracies: 03:48–07:11
• Northern Rebellion: 07:34–14:46
• Ridolfi Plot: 15:42–19:23
• Jesuit Mission and law changes: 19:39–22:45
• Throckmorton Plot: 25:57–30:54
• Bond of Association: 30:54–33:01
• Babington Plot: 33:01–46:35
• On Elizabeth’s legacy: 47:01–48:13

Final Reflections

Professor McGovern emphasizes that Elizabeth I’s survival through decades of conspiracy was not luck, but a testament to her political skill, decisiveness, and mastery of early modern kingship. The repeated involvement of her intelligence service—sometimes possibly pushing conspiracies along for their own purposes—highlights the blurred lines between defense and entrapment in Tudor statecraft. Elizabeth’s reign, forever shadowed by plots and schemes, ultimately shines as a study in calculated survival.