Table Of ContentMicah K.
Document Based Question
Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots
During the reign of Elizabeth I, 1558-1603, and Mary, Queen of Scots, 1542-1567, tensions
between England and Scotland entered a climactic point. Mary, Queen of Scots experienced a
tumultuous reign as queen. As soon as she was forced to abdicate the throne, Mary fled to
England. From 1567-1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was held as prisoner by Elizabeth I in
England. Religious difference heightened the political tension between Elizabeth and Mary.
Political discrepancy threatened the internal stability in England and Scotland. Furthermore,
Mary’s Catholicism threatened Elizabeth’s Protestant state.
Identify and analyze the reasons for Elizabeth’s harsh treatment and policy towards Mary,
Queen of Scots, during the period of 1560-1593.
Answer the question using the documents provided below:
Document A
Elizabeth’s letter to the Estates of Scotland pressing them to force Mary, Queen of Scots to ratify
the Treaty of Edinburgh (1560), which would withdraw both English and French troops out of
Scotland on the condition that Mary did not use English or Irish arms and signs in the Scottish
military or state.
We must plainly let you all understand that this manner of answer without fruit, cannot
long content us…We think it strange [Mary] has no better advice, and require you all the Estates
of the realm, to consider the matter deeply, and make answer whereto we may trust. If you
support her breach of solemn promise, we shall accept your answer, and doubt not by the grace
of God, you shall repent it. If you will have it kept, we promise you the like, and all shall go well
with your Queen, yourselves and posterities.
Document B
Mary’s claim to the English throne was only hopeful as long as her uncle, the Duke of Guise was
alive. With his demise, Mary’s claim to the throne withered away. The Spanish Ambassador had
great interest in the political stability of England at the time. The remarks of Bishop Quadra, the
Spanish Ambassador to England, in terms of Mary’s right to the English throne around 1563.
[Mary’s] chance in the matter [of the English succession] has been quite spoiled by the
death of the Duc de Guise.
Document C
An excerpt from a poem, “The Doubt of Future of Foes,” which was written by Elizabeth I
between 1568 and 1570—about ten years after ascending the throne.
The doubt of future foes exiles my present joy,
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And wit me warns to shun such snares as threaten mine annoy;
For falsehood now doth flow, and subjects' faith doth ebb,
Which should not be if reason ruled or wisdom weaved the web
Document D
The following painting depicts the 1569 Rising of the North, which was led by Catholic
aristocracy and plotted to overthrow Elizabeth I and put Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne.
Document E
A letter written to Mary, Queen of Scots from Elizabeth I on October 12, 1586 and read at the
opening of Mary’s trial in Fotheringhay.
You have in various ways and manners attempted to take my life and to bring my
kingdom to destruction by bloodshed. I have never proceeded so harshly against you, but have,
on the contrary, protected and maintained you like myself.
Document F
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A letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots to her former brother-in law, Henry III of France six
hours before her execution on February 8, 1587.
Royal brother, having by God's will, for my sins I think, thrown myself into the power of
the Queen my cousin, at whose hands I have suffered much for almost twenty years, I have
finally been condemned to death by her and her Estates…The Catholic faith and the assertion of
my God-given right to the English crown are the two issues on which I am condemned, and yet I
am not allowed to say that it is for the Catholic religion that I die, but for fear of interference
with theirs.
Document G
An account of Mary, Queen of Scots’ execution on February 8, 1587 as given by Robert
Wynkfield, a witness of her death. Elizabeth I signed her death warrant after many years of
hesitation and an amount of pressure from Parliament.
Then Mr. Dean [Dr. Fletcher, Dean of Peterborough] said with a loud voice, 'So perish all the
Queen's enemies', and afterwards the Earl of Kent came to the dead body, and standing over it,
with a loud voice said, 'Such end of all the Queen's and the Gospel's enemies.'
Document H
An excerpt from a piece of legislation entitled “An Act Against the Papists” proposed in
Parliament during Elizabeth I’s reign in 1593.
An act against popish recusants. For the better discovering and avoiding of all such
traitorous and most dangerous conspiracies and attempts as are daily devised and practised
against our most gracious sovereign lady, the queen's majesty, and the happy estate of this
commonweal by sundry wicked and seditious persons, who, terming themselves Catholics and
being indeed spies and intelligencers…and hiding their most detestable and devilish purposes
under a false pretext of religion and conscience, do secretly wander and shift from place to place
within this realm to corrupt and seduce her majesty's subjects and to stir them to sedition and
rebellion.
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Document I
The following is a family tree of the House of Tudor in England
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Document J
A painting by the Flemish Pieter van der Heyden, a product of the Northern Renaissance, which
portrays Elizabeth I as Diana and Pope Gregory XIII as Callisto. In Titian’s Diana and Callisto,
Diana is all-powerful and Callisto is fallen and weak.
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Document Summaries
Document A:
In this document, Elizabeth I asserts her authority over Mary, Queen of Scots and the
Scottish Parliament. In a threatening tone Elizabeth authoritatively demands that the Scottish
Parliament ratifies the Treaty of Edinburgh and in doing so, gives England leverage over Mary.
Document B:
Mary’s realistic claim to the English throne was only hopeful as long as her uncle, the
Duke of Guise was alive. With his demise, Mary’s claim to the throne withered away. Foreign
ambassadors, such as the Spanish Ambassador, had great interest in the political stability of
England at the time. Thus, this document reveals the Spanish interest in English politics as well
as the slow deterioration of Mary’s leverage over Elizabeth beginning in the 1560s.
Document C:
Elizabeth wrote this poem around the time of the Northern Rebellion, which attempted to
put Mary on the throne in place of Elizabeth. Although a piece of a poem, it does a very
interesting job of conveying the anxiety that Elizabeth must have felt during this period of time.
The excerpt of the poem reveals a feeling of vulnerability of instability that may have explained
her harsh reaction to Mary, as she was the subject of the various insurrections.
Document D:
This painting shows a renewed vigor in the Northern Rebellion for Catholicism. The
painting depicts the pope carried by militiamen. Various men, in armor, are kneeling as the pope
passes by showing their loyalty to Rome rather than Elizabeth as the head of the Church. In
addition, the document reveals the beckoning religious tension as men are gathered around two
main religious figures with military attire.
Document E:
This letter from Elizabeth reveals a defensive tone towards the trial of Mary. She readily
accuses Mary of causing political insurrection and instability in England. The short excerpt
reveals Elizabeth’s very apparent disdain for Mary. The most vital part of this document is
Elizabeth’s accusations against Mary: Elizabeth accuses Mary of attempting to murder and steal
her realm from her. This document does a very nice job of summing up the relationship between
the two queens.
Document F:
This document, written six hours before Mary’s execution, shows another side of the
conflict. Here, Mary attributes her execution to her “Catholic faith” and what she calls “[her]
God-given right to the English crown.” Both of these things elaborate on two of the main
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tensions that existed between Mary and Elizabeth. This document reveals that both Mary’s claim
to the throne as well as her strict adherence and endorsement of Catholicism were major factors
in Elizabeth’s uneasiness about Mary and Scotland.
Document G:
This account of Mary’s execution reveals the English government’s feeling toward Mary.
It shows that there was a prevalent belief that Mary, Queen of Scots was a volatile threat to
Elizabeth and her presiding government. Moreover, it reveals the religious tension and belief that
Catholicism was an enemy to Anglicanism as practiced as the official religion in England.
Document H:
This document, although after Mary’s execution, reveals a prevailing attitude toward
Catholicism, which contributed to the reason Mary was executed. The piece of legislation shows
that Catholicism was seen as a serious threat against the monarchy and the stability of England.
Thus, it fits in quite well with the religious tension that existed between Mary and Elizabeth
among their other issues.
Document I:
This pedigree of the Tudor House shows the lineage of both Elizabeth and Mary. In doing
so, it allows the viewer to recognize that both had a claim to the English throne. It also shows
that Elizabeth’s claim to the throne was far stronger than Mary’s based purely on hereditary
inheritance as Elizabeth’s father was the King of England while Mary was solely the
granddaughter of the Henry VIII’s sister.
Document J:
This painting reveals a foreign perspective of the relationship between the Catholic
Church and England. Portrayed by Pieter van der Heyden, Elizabeth is seen as triumphant over
the Pope and, thus, over Catholicism as a movement. This translates to her actions towards
Catholicism in Scotland and England. Furthermore, it helps explain the tense relationship
between herself and Mary, Queen of Scots.
Document Inferences and Connections
Document A:
Elizabeth strongly dislikes Mary, Queen of Scots
The English government exercises an amount of power over the Scottish
Parliament
Mary does not want to ratify the treaty because she does not agree to the terms or
she does not the armies of either to be expelled from Scotland quite yet
Elizabeth has a great deal of leverage over the Scottish Parliament in order to
back-up her threats
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Connection to Document J: Elizabeth seems exercise an amount of control over
certain areas of European politics
Connection to Document I: Elizabeth’s inheritance of the English throne seems
to entitle her to power over Scotland in addition to England
Document B:
Mary, Queen of Scots, at one point, had a legitimate claim to the English throne
The death of the Duke of Guise has greatly lessened the possibility of Mary being
a threat to Elizabeth
Connection to Document E: Mary’s claim to the English throne has obviously
threatened English in various ways as shown in this document
Connection to Document F: Mary sincerely believed that she had rightful claim
to the English crown and she was meant to be Queen of England
Document C
This poem, by Elizabeth I, reveals an wariness about trusting her subjects
It seems that she feels that her kingdom is suffering from internal difficulties as
she writes, “subjects’ faith doth ebb”
Connection to Document D: The poem was written right around the time of the
Northern Uprising as depicted in the painting in this document
o Thus, the political instability may be referring to the Northern, Catholic
uprising
Connection to Document E: Elizabeth I’s attack on Mary, Queen of Scots
reveals that Elizabeth is feeling quite defensive after having to deal with the
Northern Rebellion and accuses Mary of attempting, “to take [her] life.”
Document D
The Northern Rebellion was heavily influenced by the surrounding Catholic
sympathies (the papal authority in the background of the painting)
Those who participated in the Northern Rebellion find more allegiance to the
papal authority than to the monarch of England
Connection to Document H: Elizabeth I passed “An Act Against the Papists”
after the Northern Rebellion and other Catholic threats because of her fear of
another Catholic uprising
Connection to Document J: The painting metaphorically shows Elizabeth I
conquering Pope Gregory XIII, or the Catholic Church. This shows the eternal
battle between Elizabeth and the Catholics and her ultimate victory.
Document E:
Elizabeth I has had a history with Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary has, in some way, participated in plots to displace Elizabeth from the throne
Connection to Document D: Mary, Queen of Scots was suspected of being a part
of the Northern Rebellion, which was an attempt to put Mary on the throne as a
Catholic monarch
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Connection to Document G: Elizabeth I ultimately order Mary’s death after
years of fear of being displaced by the Scottish queen.
Document F:
Religious issues between Mary and Elizabeth were a major impetus for
Elizabeth’s actions against her cousin
Mary felt as if she was dying in the name of Catholicism and, perhaps, had the
complex of a martyr
Connection to Document G: This letter was written six hours before her
execution, which is described in Document G
Connection to Document C: The insecurity in her position, as expressed in
Elizabeth’s poem, seems to have pushed Elizabeth to sign the execution order,
after years of deliberation and hesitation.
Document G:
Mary, Queen of Scots seemed to be thought of as one of the most influential of
the “Queen’s enemies.”
Mary was seen as an enemy to not only Elizabeth, but also Protestantism (Anti-
Catholic sentiment)
Connection to Document D: The Northern Rebellion resulted in an increase in
Anti-Catholic sentiment and punishment for those challenging Elizabeth’s throne
Connection to Document H: The “Act Against the Papists,” represents another
move against what the Earl of Kent calls, “the Gospel’s enemies.”
Document H:
Anti-Catholic sentiment was socially and politically enforced in England
Mary’s Catholic support posed a large threat to Elizabeth’s Protestant government
Connection to Document F: Mary believed she was dying in the name of
Catholicism at the hands of the Protestants
Connection to Document J: The painting reinforces the conflict between the
Catholic Church and Elizabeth (Elizabeth is shown conquering the Pope)
Document I:
Elizabeth I had a more immediate claim to the throne than Mary, Queen of Scots
Nonetheless, Mary had a legitimate claim to the English throne, especially to her
Catholic supporters in England
Connection to Document B: Mary’s claim to the throne was dependent on the
Duke of Guise and was considered less legitimate after his death
Connection to Document F: Here, Mary asserts her claim to the throne six hours
before her execution in a letter to her brother-in-law: “my God-given right to the
English crown”
Document J:
Pope Gregory XIII was weaker than Elizabeth I
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England ultimately gained more influence than the Catholic Church during
Elizabeth’s reign
Connection to Document D: Even with Catholic attempts to overthrow
Elizabeth, the Protestant government remained
Connection to Document H: “An Act Against the Papists” asserts Elizabeth’s
victory over the Catholic Church
Document Points of View
Document B:
o The Spanish Ambassador may be expressing disappointment that England still has a
protestant monarch and exaggerating Mary’s actual chance of ascending the throne
Document C:
o What Elizabeth I perceived to be a danger or traitorous action may have been neutral or
otherwise. Her poetry may be an over-dramatization of the actually conditions in
England, which she makes out to be a volatile and traitorous atmosphere
Document E:
o Mary was on trial at the time that Elizabeth read her this very accusatory statement.
Perhaps, Elizabeth felt like she had to overwhelmingly provide evidence against Mary in
order to solidify her own power.
o Elizabeth makes a point of saying, “I have never proceeded so harshly against you,” but I
doubt that she would accuse herself of being too harsh or unjust while occupying the
most powerful position in all of England
Document F:
o This letter was written six hours before Mary’s execution, which would influence her
rhetoric and, perhaps, make her more likely to make risky statements
o Mary, as appears in this letter, believes that she is a martyr and depicts her situation has a
martyrdom rather than a political assassination
Document G:
o The Earl of Kent proclaims the death of Mary the, “end of all the Queen’s and the
Gospel’s enemies,” but as a supporter of the Queen, he is, more or less, required to say
something as flamboyant as this.
o The Earl is at the execution of an enemy of the Queen, it is quite possible that he would
say anything to stay on the Queen’s good side
o Thus, this may be an extreme hyperbole
Document J:
o As a Flemish painter, van der Heyden may have favored Protestant monarchs more so
than the Catholic Church
o Pieter van der Heyden was a product of the Northern Renaissance, which unified
individual and Christian doctrine. He may have simply taken on a subject dealing with
Description:tumultuous reign as queen. As soon as she was forced to abdicate the throne, Mary fled to. England. From 1567-1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was held
