[MR] Wikipedia: Ridolfi Plot and the Duke of Norfolk

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

On this date in 1571, Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, was arrested for
treason during the so-called Ridolfi Plot to depose Queen Elizabeth and
replace her with Mary Queen of Scots.

Howard was one of the leading nobles of England (England's only Duke), and
second cousin to Elizabeth. Although held in high honor, he smarted at the
power and influence of Lord Robert Dudley, the Queen's favorite, and hated
William Cecil, Elizabeth's spymaster. Norfolk saw a possible marriage to
Mary Queen of Scots as a path to advancement, and Mary saw in Norfolk a
chance to supplant Elizabeth and return England to Catholicism. Mary
certainly encouraged Norfolk's dreams.

Roberto Ridolfi was a Florentine banker and Papal agent who resided in
London. Under the cover of his business interests, he was able to move
around Europe without arousing suspicion. It was Ridolfi who bankrolled the
abortive 1569 Rising of the North in which Norfolk also had a hand. By 1571
Ridolfi's plot had taken shape. With support from Spain which would supply
an army from the Netherlands, Catholic English lords would raise an army to
free Mary, imprison and/or assassinate Elizabeth, and return England to
Catholicism.

The problem was that Cecil learned of the plot, and soon had his eye on
Norfolk and most of the other conspirators. Several of Norfolk's servants
were snatched up and confessed (some under torture). Norfolk was arrested,
and incriminating letters and a cypher key were found at his residence.

Norfolk was tried for treason, and condemned to the block. He was topped on
Tower Hill on June 2, 1571 by a single stroke of the axe.

Ridolfi was out of the country when his plot collapsed, and so escaped
arrest. In 1612 Ridolfi died in Florence.

Elizabeth was reluctant to move against her cousin Mary at this time, but
kept her jugged at various castles around England. That didn't stop Mary's
plotting, and would later prove to be her undoing.

The Ridolfi plot is outlined at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridolfi_plot .

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep Merry Rose relevant and in business.