Was Mary Queen of Scots guilty of plotting against Elizabeth I?

Answer 1

She was not entirely blameless and she encouraged those who did. Elizabeth was actually reluctant to have her put to death and did a lot of heart searching before signing the death warrant.

Answer 2

No she wasn't, Mary being very naiive, let herself be controlled by powerful men, amoung others her half-brother; James Stuart, Earl of Moray and the Scottish lords to wrestle power for themselves.
Elizabeth was also manipulated through her powerful advisor William Cecil and although Elizabeth gave the final approval for Mary's execution, it was only after strong advice from Cecil who plotted against Mary with support from Moray.

You have to remember that Mary escaped into England and hoped for support from Elizabeth against the rebellious Scottish lords, hence her arrest on English soil.
The debate is whether Mary was involved in the assassiation of her second husband Darnley as the Casket letters imply, but a new translation of them cast strong doubts about that. A genuine, but totally unrealistic conspiracy (which Mary was unaware of) by a young gullible man called Babbington to assassinate Queen Elizabeth and put Mary on the throne of England was a bait and the final straw that sent Mary to the block.

If you would like to know more about Mary, Queen of Scots I warmly recommend the new brilliant biography: "My Heart is My Own; The Life of Mary Queen of Scots" a master historical detective work written by John Guy, it's never dull.

Answer 3

The original documents on which a verdict as to her guilt should be formed have perished, and a prolonged controversy has arisen over the evidence still accessible. This confusion, however, is largely due to prepossessions. Of late, with the diminution of Protestant rancour and of enthusiasm for the Stuarts, the conflict of opinions has much diminished. The tendency of modern schools is to regard Mary as a participant, though in a minor and still undetermined degree, in the above-mentioned crimes. The arguments are far too complicated to be given here, but that from authority may be indicated. There were several well-informed representative Catholics at Edinburgh during the critical period. The pope had sent Father Edmund Hay, a Jesuit; Philibert Du Croc was there for France, Rubertino Solaro Moretta represented Savoy, while Roche Mamerot, a Dominican, the queen's confessor, was also there. All these, as also the Spanish ambassador in London, represent the Bothwell match as a disgrace involving a slur on her virtue. Her confessor only defends her from participation in the murder of her husband. The most perfect documentary evidence is that of the so-called "casket letters", said to have been written by Mary to Bothwell during the fatal crisis. If, on the one hand, their authenticity still lacks final proof, no argument yet brought forward to invalidate them has stood the test of modern criticism.

Answer 4

Mary can't have been guilty of actually plotting, because she was in "protective custody" with limited communication. But others plotted to murder Elizabeth, and Mary was executed for agreeing that, if she became Queen of England as a result, she would pardon them.

Answer 5

There was some evidence, but mostly circumstantial. Elizabeth had to get rid of her to preserve her throne

Answer 6

yes she was guilty,so elizabeth 1 had to get rid of her to stay on the throne!