Elizabethan England / 1571-1572
Elizabethan England: Ridolfi Plot
Ridolfi's plan linked Mary, the Duke of Norfolk and Spanish support in one Catholic attempt to remove Elizabeth.
What To Remember
- The plot aimed to replace Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots and restore Catholicism.
- Ridolfi tried to win support from Philip II, the Pope and the Duke of Alva in Spain.
- The Duke of Norfolk was involved, but his servants betrayed the conspiracy.
The plan
In 1571, Ridolfi travelled to Spain and then to the Vatican to secure support for a Spanish-backed invasion of England.
He told the Duke of Alva that English Catholics would rise if a foreign army landed, and the wider aim was to put Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne.
The plot also depended on the Duke of Norfolk, who was meant to be linked to Mary through marriage and give the plan English noble backing.
How it collapsed
The Duke of Alva was not fully committed and told Philip II that Spain should only invade if Elizabeth had already been weakened or overthrown.
Elizabeth's government moved faster than the plotters expected, and Norfolk's servants revealed what was happening.
Norfolk was arrested in September 1571, tried in January 1572 and executed, while Elizabeth expelled the Spanish ambassador to show she would not tolerate foreign interference.
Revision Prompt
Why was the Ridolfi Plot a threat to Elizabeth?