Source A: The Plot Against Elizabeth I

"Mary Queen of Scots, a Catholic monarch, was seen by many as a threat to Elizabeth’s Protestant reign. In 1586, a conspiracy was uncovered that aimed to place Mary on the English throne through an uprising. This plot involved several English Catholics and foreign agents, who planned to assassinate Elizabeth and support Mary’s claim. The discovery of the plot led to Mary’s imprisonment and eventual execution. Elizabeth’s ministers believed that eliminating Mary was necessary to secure her rule and prevent Catholic uprising. The evidence used to expose the plot included intercepted letters and confessions from conspirators. Some believed the evidence was strong, while others thought it might have been exaggerated to justify harsh actions against Mary.

Provenance: A government report written by Sir Francis Walsingham, 1586, official state document.