Who was Queen Elizabeth Tudors Cousin And Why Was She A Threat ?
Mary, Queen of Scots, was YOUNGER than Elizabeth I, not older! Elizabeth was born in 1533, and Mary in 1542. Yes, Mary was Elizabeth’s cousin. Her grandmother was Margaret Tudor, who was the sister of King Henry VIII ( who was, of course, Elizabeth’s father). Mary was considered a threat to the childless Elizabeth, as she was technically next in line to the English throne under ordinary laws of succession – However, the last will of Henry VIII actually excluded the Stuarts from succeeding. Even so, Elizabeth feared that Mary would be the focus of plots of disgruntled Catholics willing to make her Queen of England, in place of Elizabeth. In addition to this, Mary married Lord Darnley, who, as another descendant of Margaret Tudor, ALSO had a claim to the English throne! Double threat! Mary was executed after being implicated in the Babington plot (a foiled plan by a Catholic faction to despose and/or assassinate Elizabeth, and make Mary the Queen of England). She was executed at Fotherin
