Many Roman Catholics would have liked to have seen the next in line, the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, take the throne, as they regarded Elizabeth as illegitimate, her parents' marriage not having been recognized by the Catholic Church.
Mnogi bi rimokatolici radije vidjeli na prijestolju katolkinju, škotsku kraljicu Mariju, smatrajući Elizabetu nezakonitom, jer Katolička crkva nije priznavala ženidbu njezinih roditelja.