BABINGTON, ANTHONY. - An Englishman of noble and wealthy family, born at Detwick (Derbyshire) in October 1561, died in London on 20 September 1586. A Catholic and pious man, but prone to religious enthusiasm, he was misled by an unfortunate priest, John Ballard, of extremist views, who, taking advantage of Babington’s favourable sentiments toward Mary Stuart, induced him to head a conspiracy aimed at freeing the imprisoned queen and assassinating the Protestant Elizabeth, whom he regarded as an usurper; and at the same time to silence his scruples of conscience, which had made him hesitate before the crime.
Among the conspirators, all Catholics, another priest, Gilbert Gifford, managed to infiltrate; he was a secret agent of Lord Walsingham, who in turn brought in two more spies. Thus the Secretary of State was aware of every move; indeed, he was able to manipulate the threads in such a way as to ensnare both the reckless plotters and Mary Stuart. Through the three spies, he arranged and facilitated a compromising correspondence between Babington and the prisoner; and when, from the letters passing through his hands, he clearly understood the plot, he ordered the arrest of the conspirators. They attempted to flee, but in vain; the seven ringleaders, including Babington, were captured, tried as traitors, hanged, drawn, and quartered.
This deplorable conspiracy, hatched by Catholics and promoted by a priest, caused serious harm to the Catholic cause, for it was exploited by the adversaries to level accusations against the Superior General of the Jesuits and even the Pope, charged with having recommended the assassination of Elizabeth; but above all it provided Lord Walsingham with the pretext to proceed, amid the popular excitement stirred up, to that act of violence which was the trial and condemnation of Mary Stuart.