Anthony Babington (Nottingham MP)

Anthony Babington (1561 – 20 September 1586) was an English nobleman best known for leading the Babington Plot, a conspiracy to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots. He was born into a prominent Catholic family in Dethick, Derbyshire, and received a Catholic education.

While not initially a Member of Parliament, historical records indicate a possible connection through his network of associates and relatives. The Babington family held considerable influence in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Although Anthony himself did not serve as the Member of Parliament for Nottingham, understanding the context of his activities requires considering the political landscape and representation of the region at the time. The specific details of his direct connections to the Nottingham MP, if any, require further investigation and are currently not clearly documented.

The Babington Plot was uncovered by Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth I's spymaster. Babington and his co-conspirators were arrested, tried, and convicted of treason. They were executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering at Tyburn on 20 September 1586. His actions solidified the view of Catholics as potential traitors in Elizabethan England and contributed to Mary, Queen of Scots' execution the following year.