An Admonition to the Nobility and People of England and Ireland facts for kids

An Admonition to the Nobility and People of England and Ireland was a very important book published in 1588. It was written by a powerful church leader named Cardinal William Allen. The book's main goal was to convince the Catholic people in England and Ireland to turn against their queen, Queen Elizabeth I. This happened during a time when Spain was planning to invade England with its huge fleet of ships, known as the Spanish Armada.

A Secret Plan Against the Queen

This book was a strong attack on Queen Elizabeth. It questioned her right to be queen and even her family background. Cardinal Allen wanted to publish the book right after the Spanish Armada had landed in England. He hoped it would cause a rebellion among the queen's subjects. The book used very harsh and insulting words against Elizabeth.

Why Didn't the Plan Work?

However, most English Catholics did not betray their queen. They saw the Spanish invasion as a political fight, not a religious one. This meant they felt no need to support the Spanish invaders.

The book became a big embarrassment for loyal Catholics in England. This was especially true after the Spanish Armada was completely defeated.

What Happened to the Book?

After the Spanish Armada failed, Cardinal Allen quickly destroyed most copies of his book. He threw them into a fire to get rid of them. But one copy was saved by a spy working for Queen Elizabeth. This is how we know about the book today.