born October 1561, Dethick, Derbyshire, Eng.
died Sept. 20, 1586, London
English conspirator.
Raised secretly as a Catholic, Babington was joined by the priest John Ballard in the unsuccessful "Babington Plot" to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I and install her prisoner, Mary, Queen of Scots , on the English throne. The conspiracy included many Roman Catholics, and Philip II of Spain promised to provide immediate assistance after the assassination. Babington was imprisoned and executed after the interception of an exchange of letters with Mary explaining his plans. The letters were also used as evidence supporting the execution of Mary the following year.