A Justificacion of Queen Elizabeth in Relacion to the Affair of Mary Queen of Scottes

work by Puttenham

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June 29, 2026

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George Puttenham, an English courtier, wrote A Justificacion of Queen Elizabeth in Relacion to the Affair of Mary Queen of Scottes at Queen Elizabeth I's request. This work, anonymously circulated, defends Elizabeth's actions concerning Mary, Queen of Scots.1

The context involves religious tensions and political intrigue in Elizabethan England. Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic claimant to the English throne, was a significant concern for Elizabeth, who had restored Protestantism in England. Mary's presence in England, after being driven from her own kingdom, posed a threat due to her potential to rally Catholic opposition and international conspiracies against Elizabeth. Puttenham's work likely aimed to justify Elizabeth's handling of Mary, who was eventually executed for her involvement in plots against the queen.2

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George Puttenham
…public affairs is shown by A Justificacion of Queen Elizabeth in Relacion to the Affair of Mary Queen of Scottes, undertaken at the queen’s request and anonymously circulated, but attributed to Puttenham in two of eight extant copies of the manuscript.
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…public affairs is shown by A Justificacion of Queen Elizabeth in Relacion to the Affair of Mary Queen of Scottes, undertaken at the queen’s request and anonymously circulated, but attributed to Puttenham in two of eight extant copies of the manuscript.
Read More