[colorado tanker]

He was executed based on false accusations (the Main Plot) by James I, who obviously was cleaning house of old supporters of his cousin Eliz I. And that's all that he was doing.

Agreed. Also, Bess' father was Nicholas Throckmorton, who was Elizabeth's ambassador to Scotland at the time of Mary's deposition and James' coronation by the rebels. He was a friend of Mary and supported her restoration. I wonder if Raliegh's father-in-law's involvement in Scottish intrigues contributed to James' decision to get rid of such a prominent courtier of Elizabeth's.

[SunkenCiv]

It's remarkable how much side-switching went on, both political and sectarian, and for that matter, how many strange literal bedfellows walked down the aisle.