John Savage (died 1586) facts for kids

John Savage was an English Catholic who lived in the 1500s. He was involved in a secret plan called the Babington Plot in 1586. The goal of this plot was to kill Queen Elizabeth, who was a Protestant, and put Mary, Queen of Scots, who was a Catholic, on the English throne instead.

Savage was a former soldier, and he was chosen to be the person who would personally assassinate Queen Elizabeth.

John Savage's Role in the Babington Plot

John Savage likely came from a wealthy Catholic family in Derbyshire, England. He was a very religious Catholic. He joined the army of Alexander Farnese, a powerful leader in the Spanish Netherlands. Savage fought in battles in the Low Countries.

Joining the Conspiracy

When Savage returned to England, he met a fellow Catholic named Dr. William Gifford. Gifford convinced him that killing Queen Elizabeth was the only way to help Catholics in England.

Savage arrived in London in early 1586. In March, he met John Ballard. Savage volunteered to join the secret plan that Ballard and Anthony Babington were creating. This plan aimed to murder Queen Elizabeth, free Mary, Queen of Scots from prison, and then make Mary the new queen with help from other countries. Babington was very happy to have Savage join.

The Plot Uncovered

At a meeting in April, Savage was one of six people chosen to carry out the assassination of the queen. However, the plot had been secretly watched almost from the beginning. Some people in the group were actually spies working for Queen Elizabeth's spy master, Sir Francis Walsingham. One of these spies was Gilbert Gifford, who was a cousin of Dr. William Gifford.

Because of these spies, the plot was discovered, and arrests began. After Ballard was arrested, Babington told Savage the news. Savage then told Babington that he would go and immediately try to kill Queen Elizabeth. Babington agreed and gave Savage money to help him.

Arrest and What Happened Next

John Savage was arrested in London before he could carry out the assassination. Two other members of the plot, Chidiock Tichbourne and Thomas Tilney, were also arrested.

Savage openly admitted that he was part of the plan and pleaded guilty at his trial. His confession was made without any threats. Like the other people involved in the plot, Savage was sentenced to death. He was among the first group of conspirators to be executed on September 20, 1586. This happened in an open area in St Giles in the Fields, which was the same place where he had been chosen to assassinate Elizabeth.

Savage gave a speech before his execution. He said that as a Catholic in England, he had been taught that killing the Protestant queen was a "lawful and good act."

After the plot failed and its members were executed, Mary, Queen of Scots, was also executed. She was beheaded because she knew about and supported the treasonous plan.