Why was Mary Queen of Scots executed?

Answer 1

Mary Queen Of Scots was executed by her second cousin Elizabeth.

At first Elizabeth didn't want to sign the death warrant, then finally when the warrant was showed to her for the third she signed it.

She kept Mary in prison for 19 years until she executed her.

The reasons for killing her were ....

1. Apparently she had been found plotting against Elizabeth with several people.

2. If Elizabeth died before Mary and had no children, Mary was the heir to the throne.

3. Mary could try and turn England back into a catholic country again.

No-one knows the reason why Elizabeth didn't kill Mary before. Maybe she didn't want to kill her cousin.
Mary Queen of Scots got executed because she was apparently plotting to kill Elizabeth l

Answer 2

She was found guilty of treason against Queen Elizabeth.

It took many years for the government to build up a case against Mary - even if such a case actually existed! This work was carried out by Sir Francis Walsingham. His spy network kept a close eye on Mary.

In 1586, a man called Anthony Babington devised a plot to kill Elizabeth, rescue Mary and then see her as the next queen of England. Babington wrote in code to Mary to explain what he was doing. Mary wrote back, stating that she agreed with what he was doing. Walsingham's spies intercepted both letters. Babington was arrested and charged with treason. In September 1586, Babington was executed. Now the government had a case against Mary. She was put on trial in October 1586.

Mary defended herself well but the judges found her guilty of treason. To the judges, who would not listen to her arguments, she said "You are indeed my enemies". The reply was "We are the enemy of the enemies of our queen." The trial lasted just 2 days.

Mary was found guilty of plotting to kill Elizabeth. She was sentenced to death. In February 1587, Mary was given just 24 hours notice that she would be executed the next day.