The issue of Mary, Queen of Scots | Video on the Babbington Plot | Worksheet to accompany the Video

A fourth reason why the Spanish decided to invade England in 1588 was connected to Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary was a Catholic cousin of Elizabeth (her mother was Henry VIII’s sister). Catholics all across Europe wanted her to replace Elizabeth as Queen of England. Students consider the life and actions of Mary, and decide for each piece of evidence whether she deserves to be executed, imprisoned or freed. This feeds into a lively class debate and verdict. Students then learn how Elizabeth actually dealt with Mary by watching a video. They could make notes on Tom Phillips, Al-Kindi, Anthony Babbington and Francis Walsingham.

Part of the Elizabeth I scheme of work at ActiveHistory