Why did Mary imprison her sister Queen Elizabeth?

Answer 1

Elizabeth was the third in line for the throne after Henry VIII's death. She was a protestant heir to the throne and Mary who was the Catholic monarch before her was afraid that she would attempt to over throw her and place herself on the throne as a Protestant Queen. Mary imprisoned Elizabeth in 1554 because she was thought to have been involved in a Protestant plot against Mary that was lead by Sir Thomas Wyatt. She was released a short time later, I believe it was 8 weeks later, with no charge but was placed under house arrest.

Answer 2

Queen Mary, a Catholic, had just become Queen, and was to marry Prince Philip of Spain. Rebellions arose and Queen Mary, seemingly, afraid for her sister Elizabeth, imprisoned Elizabeth for a period of two months. For more details, refer to the 'Elizabeth I' related link below.
She was Protestant, and at that time her sister Mary, who was queen, was persecuting all Protestants. Mary also thought Elizabeth was a threat to Mary's power.

Answer 3

The official reason was that Elizabeth was suspected of helping out or at least knowing in advance about Sir Thomas Wyatt leading a rebellion to overthrow Mary. However, this couldn't be proved, but Elizabeth was held prisoner for over a year. This was mainly because Mary hated, and was afraid of, her younger half-sister.

Answer 4

Elizabeth I (1533 - 1603) did suffer imprisonment for a short period, when she was still Princess Elizabeth, and her half-sister Mary was Queen Mary I (1516 - 1558).

Because Mary was suspicious that Elizabeth may be involved in plots against her, she had Elizabeth consigned to the Tower of London in March 1554 for 8 weeks. After which time, Elizabeth was released to house arrest.

But when Mary died in 1558, Elizabeth came to the throne.

Answer 5

Elizabeth I did not put Mary, Queen of Scots in jail. Mary fled Scotland when much of Scotland's nobility were incensed that she was implicated in a plot to murder Lord Darnley her husband. The prime mover of that plot was the Earl of Bothwell who in turn married Mary shortly afterwards. This was very damaging and more or less implicated Mary also. Lord Darnley was an English subject and Elizabeth's cousin (once removed) also. Mary fled to England expecting Elizabeth, as a "sister" Queen to restore her to the throne in Scotland. It was no secret that Mary called Elizabeth as illegitimate and was constantly plotting to either have Elizabeth killed or overthrown as she styled herself as the rightful queen of England, in addition to Scotland. Mary fled to England expecting Elizabeth to act but Elizabeth did not as she was sympathetic to an anointed Queen being overthrown but knew of Mary many plots against her. Mary stayed at one of England's northern castle expecting Elizabeth to meet with her but Elizabeth did not. Eventually, because of the many plots that were discovered, Elizabeth had her moved to another residence and watched and guarded and virtually kept under house arrest. She kept her that way for 20 years until Mary's final plot which forced Elizabeth's hand, which she very much regretted but her government insisted that Mary be tried for treason. Elizabeth signed her death warrant but told her ministers not to implement it until she said so but they went ahead and acted anyway.

Answer 6

Mary had imrosioned her step sister in the tower because Mary was a catholic and she had heard that her half sister had consipred to over throw her.(Elizabeth was a protestant)

Answer 7

Mary did not imprison Elizabeth. Elizabeth had Mary Queen of Scots imprisoned because she feared Mary would try to take over the throne. Mary had more right to the throne than Elizabeth did.