GCSE HISTORY: Elizabethan England - Mary, Queen of Scots Threat to Elizabeth (Lesson 9) *NEW SPEC*

This lesson explores the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. It then helps students to explain why Mary, Queen of Scots was a significant threat to Elizabeth.

This lesson has been updated in line with the 2025/26 amended specification and changes to some exam questions.

The resource pack includes:

• 1 x Fact sheet - Why was Mary, Queen of Scots a threat to Elizabeth I? (PDF & PPT)
• 2 x Model answer student worksheet

The 24 slide Main PowerPoint for the lesson includes:

• Slide 1: Title slide
• Slide 2: Learning Recap Activity - The foreign threats to Elizabeth I with answers
• Slide 3-4: Learning Recap Quiz - Challenges to Elizabeth I quiz with answers
• Slide 7-11: Background information about Mary, Queen of Scots with added activities throughout.
• Slide 12: Discussion activity - What should Elizabeth I do with Mary, Queen of Scots?
• Slide 13-15: Task 1 - Mary, Queen of Scots fact fill with printable worksheets
• Slide 16-17: Explaining Mary’s threat table fill with printable worksheet and clear instructions
• Slide 18: Follow up challenge questions
• Slide 19-20: Learning recap true or false quiz with answers and corrections
• Slide 21-23: Example practice exam questions
• Slide 24: Lesson fact sheet based on GCSE specification.

All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting.

**This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use. **