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

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.

Option

Positive consequences

Negative consequences

Help Mary regain her Scottish throne

Mary would do anything to receive Elizabeth's help. She could insist that Mary drop her claim to the English throne

If Elizabeth restored Mary as Queen of Scotland,  Mary could use her army to overthrow Elizabeth. The Earls in the north of England would be happy to help Mary restore Catholicism in England

Return Mary to the Scottish lords

If the Scottish nobles imprisoned or killed Mary, she could not take the English throne. Mary’s return to Scotland would make Elizabeth’s government happy. They wanted to maintain a good relationship with the Protestant nobles in Scotland

The imprisonment or murder of an anointed monarch was not acceptable to Elizabeth. She would worry that English nobles would think it was acceptable to treat a monarch in this way

Allow Mary to go abroad

Mary would be safe from the Scottish nobles. She could live her life peacefully in exile

If Mary took refuge in a Catholic country, she could use their resources to rebel against Elizabeth. Philip II of Spain would be happy to help Mary claim the English throne

Keep Mary in England

Elizabeth could keep Mary under close supervision. Imprisonment in England would protect Mary from the Scottish nobles

Mary would remain a constant threat to Elizabeth. Mary would receive letters from Catholic plotters wanting to use her to overthrow Elizabeth