An international Catholic conspiracy, in the manner of the Ridolfi and Babington plots, to place Mary, Queen of Scots on the English throne. Francis Throckmorton (1554–84), a member of a leading English recusant family, helped to contrive the plan. Henry of Guise would invade England with a French Catholic force, financed by Spain and the papacy, then the English Catholics would depose Elizabeth I in favour of Mary. In late 1583 Walsingham’s agents uncovered the plan. Reprisals were moderate, but Throckmorton was tried and executed.