The Doubt of Future Foes facts for kids

"The Doubt of Future Foes" is a famous poem written by Elizabeth I of England. She wrote it sometime between 1568 and 1571. The poem is about her complicated relationship with her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots.

Elizabeth I became Queen of England in 1558. She followed three other rulers in a short time. Because she was queen, many people tried to remove her from the throne or even plot against her life. This was common in monarchies, where kings and queens ruled. This poem was written because of a specific plot against her.

Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots

Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots, were cousins. Mary had been forced to give up her throne in Scotland in 1567. After this, she lived in England under Elizabeth's care.

Why Was Mary a Threat?

Mary was a Catholic, and many Catholics in England and Scotland believed she should be queen instead of Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a Protestant. In 1570, the Pope (the leader of the Catholic Church) published an official statement called Regnans in Excelsis. This statement said that Catholics no longer had to be loyal to Elizabeth. It also warned that anyone who stayed loyal to Elizabeth would be removed from the Church.

The Impact of the Pope's Statement

This statement caused many Catholics to feel angry towards Elizabeth. Mary became the main focus for many plots against Elizabeth. Even if Mary didn't know about every plot, she was involved in at least one important one.

The Babington Plot

One major plot was called the Babington Plot. Several Catholic people, including Sir Anthony Babington, planned to put Mary on the English throne. Letters exchanged between Mary and the plotters showed that she knew about their plans.

Discovery and Consequences

The plot was discovered by Elizabeth's spies. Mary, along with others involved, was arrested. In 1587, Mary was executed because of her involvement in the Babington Plot.