Mary Queen of Scots — threat to Elizabeth

Give two reasons why Mary Queen of Scots was a threat to Elizabeth I. [4 marks]

Mark scheme (B1+B1 each):

• Mary was a Catholic (B1) and was seen by many Catholics — especially after Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth in 1570 — as the legitimate Queen of England, making her a focal point for Catholic plots against Elizabeth (B1).
• Mary was Elizabeth's cousin and the next in line to the throne (B1); her presence in England (from 1568) gave plotters a viable alternative ruler — without Mary, the plots (Ridolfi, Throckmorton, Babington) would have had no Catholic candidate to put forward (B1).