The Life of Elizabeth I (Part 4) | Elizabeth vs Mary

From History Calling

TWO QUEENS, ONE THRONE. After Mary, Queen of Scots arrived in England, the life of Elizabeth I became increasingly difficult, as her cousin (now a prisoner Queen) acted as a focal point for conspiracies against the English monarch’s life and attempts to replace her with this Catholic alternative. The main theme of this week’s History Calling video, which the 13th in my Tudor monarchs’ series, is Elizabeth vs Mary and above all, it will answer the question, why was Mary queen of Scots killed? Looking at the 1570s and 1580s, it will trace Elizabeth’s attitude to her cousin and her reaction to the plots to overthrow her, including the Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington Plots. It will ask why she signed the warrant for the execution of one of her few remaining family members and if the death of Mary, Queen of Scots was something she truly wanted. Using original sources and images, it will also look at the execution itself (which took place in Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire England, in February 1587) to explain how Mary Queen of Scots died. Furthermore, it will look at the deteriorating relationship between Elizabeth I and Philip II, as her one time brother-in-law moved closer and closer to launching the Spanish Armada against England. The reign of Elizabeth I was never boring, so get comfy as we look at one of the great scandals of the last Tudor’s life and one of the most famous events in English history. Other prominent figures discussed in this Tudors documentary will include Sir Francis Walsingham, William Cecil and James VI of Scotland. We’ll also hear about Elizabeth’s foreign policy and her very brief engagement to the French Duke of Alencon in 1581.