Puritans and the ‘Monarchical Republic’: Conformity and Conflict in the 
Elizabethan Church
2012; Oxford University Press; Volume: 127; Issue: 527 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1093/ehr/ces103
ISSN1477-4534
Autores Tópico(s)Historical Economic and Social Studies
ResumoIn the spring of 1572, court and country were consumed by the problem of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, a captive in England since 1568. The discovery of the ‘Ridolfi plot’ in the previous autumn had shown how dangerous Mary Stuart could be, and details of that plot were widely circulated: Mary would marry the Duke of Norfolk and, with the assistance of Spanish troops, they would seize the English throne and restore the Catholic Church. When parliament opened on 8 May 1572, Norfolk was in prison because of his role in the plot, but the problem of Mary still loomed large. As the session progressed, one topic dominated both the Commons and the Lords: the execution of Mary Stuart. Successive speakers condemned Mary as an immediate threat to the safety of the commonwealth and Church. Her ‘vile and traitorous’ practices in Scotland and England were rehearsed in full, and she was denounced as the ‘most notorious whore in all the world’. Ministers of Elizabeth I, led by William Cecil, echoed these sentiments: while Mary lived, England was in danger. But Elizabeth, afraid of being branded a regicide, would not execute her cousin.1
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