Historical Skills Assessment 2 – Skill being assessed - The ability to show detailed understanding of a historical event What should Elizabeth do about Mary Queen of Scots?

Overview This lesson you will prepare for your assessment by completing some tasks that will help you answer the question “What should Elizabeth do about Mary Queen of Scots?”

Background Elizabeth faced many problems throughout her reign from extreme Catholics and Protestants. Many Catholics wanted to kill Elizabeth and make Mary Queen of Scots the new ruler of England. Mary was Elizabeth’s Catholic cousin. The Catholics wanted Mary because she was Catholic and next in line to the throne. Protestant nobles forced Mary to leave Scotland and she fled to England where she was arrested and imprisoned for 19 years.

The Problem! Parliament wanted Mary to be executed! If you were Elizabeth WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Open your envelopes and sort the options into reasons TO have Mary executed and reasons TO NOT have Mary executed. Once you’ve done this, have them checked by me and then write them in to your tables – ONE SIDE IN ONE COLOUR, THE OTHER SIDE IN A DIFFERENT COLOUR

Reasons TO have Mary executedReasons TO NOT have Mary executed What should Elizabeth do about Mary Queen of Scots?

Mary has already been imprisoned in England for a long time, but you suspect she is plotting against you from inside. Are there any other suggestions you can think of apart from execution? ? My OTHER suggestion?

Mary said she knew nothing about the plots against Elizabeth. Mary was a Queen anointed and chosen by God. As long as Mary was alive plots against Elizabeth would continue. Powerful Catholic countries like Spain would be angry if Mary was executed. Mary had written letters to powerful people abroad asking for help to escape. Elizabeth was wary about some of the evidence, it may have been forged or Mary may have been tricked. In 1586 Elizabeth’s spies found evidence that Mary had been involved in plots against Elizabeth. Parliament wanted Mary Queen of Scots to be put to death. Mary was a Catholic Queen who threatened the English Protestant Church. Mary was Scottish so technically could not be tried by an English court.

Task …….. You have taken on the role as advisor to Elizabeth I. You must write her a report giving your suggestions as to what should be done with Mary Queen of Scots. You must explain the many sides of the argument and then reach a final conclusion explaining what you would do and why.

Assessment writing frame Write the report using the writing frame below – YOU MAY USE THIS OR YOUR OWN WAY Your Majesty Elizabeth I I am writing to offer you advice about what should be done with Mary Queen of Scots. There are a number of options you have so please don’t act too hastily and consider my suggestions. Obviously, you could have her executed. There are a number of reasons why this is a good idea. For instance (HERE YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN THE REASONS WHY MARY SHOULD BE EXECUTED AND WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT) On the other hand it might not be a good idea to have Mary executed because (HERE YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN WHY EXECUTION MAY NOT BE NOT A GOOD IDEA AND WHY) I have also thought of one more suggestion as to what to do with Mary (HERE YOU NEED TO MENTION YOUR OTHER IDEA (IF YOU HAVE ONE) Personally I think you should (MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT ELIZABETH SHOULD DO) This is because ………… (EXPLAIN WHY YOU THIN THAT)

Success Criteria You must explain both the reasons for and against executing Mary Queen of Scots. Explain the reasons you have given. Complete a conclusion – what do you think should have happened to Mary? Check your spelling and grammar.