Elizabethan Foreign Policy Flashcards
What were Elizabeth’s 4 aims (at the start of her reign in 1558)
- Secure surrounding territory: the northern border with Scotland; the coastline across the channel, Ireland
- Promote the expansion of trade and exploration
- Avoid fighting war where possible
- Avoid aiding rebels
1559 - Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis
France was to keep Calais for 8 years, or pay England a fee of £125,000 - unless England failed to maintain peaceful relations.
1559 - Rise of the Guise Faction and it’s consequences on foreign policy
Mary, Queen of Scots’ husband - Francis II - ascended to the throne, bringing to the spotlight with him, the noble family faction of Guise. In order to exert pressure on England, French troops were sent to garrison many Scottish fortresses, much to the dismay of many Scottish Calvinists, who sought support south of the border.
February 1560 - Treaty of Berwick
An agreement between Elizabeth and the Protestant League of Scottish Nobles to send troops, including naval force, to Edinburgh. (Partially pressured to by William Cecil)
July 1560 - Events of the Scottish conflict that lead to the Treaty of Edinburgh
The siege of Edinburgh failed for the English, however extraneous factors such as the deaths of Francis II and Mary of Guise, coupled with a storm that damaged the French navy present in Scotland, diverted the interests of the occupying French forces back to their own country.
Did Elizabeth meet her aims during the Scottish conflict?
Whilst she did secure her northern border, expunging it of French influence for what turned out to be the rest of her reign, she did aide rebels. Aiding Protestant rebels not only told the world and her subjects that Elizabeth was in support of monarchical opposition, but also foreign powers that Elizabeth was firmly on the side of Protestantism. She escaped this conflict on luck.
1562 - Elizabeth’s support of the Huguenot rebellion in France
In 1562, urged on by Robert Dudley, Elizabeth sent 6000 men to aide the Huguenot leader, Prince of Conde, in fighting Catholics in France. The Huguenots efforts failed, Conde defeated, in addition to the catholic Duke of Guise’s assassination.
1564 - Consequences of the Huguenot rebellion and the Treaty of Troyes
Following the rebellion, The French and Huguenots agreed a truce amongst themselves, leaving Elizabeth in no position to do anything else but accept the treaty of Troyes. England permanently lost Calais and forfeited the fee that would be paid to them had France decided to keep it.
Did Elizabeth meet her aims during the Huguenot rebellion?
Elizabeth was definitely burned by the events in France. She aided rebels and lost. The moment she sent those troops, she forfeited Calais. The troops she sent were never going to be enough to provide meaningful aid, shows Elizabeth was perhaps only half caring about the events. Elizabeth meets none of her aims here, yet gains her trademark phrase ‘semper idem’ - always the same.
John Hawkins
A pirate who attempted to disrupt Spanish trade dominance in the Caribbean
November 1568 - Impounding of Spanish Ship
England impounded a storm-stranded Spanish ship containing 400,000 Florins which was to be used to pay Spain’s army - the Duke of Alba - in the Netherlands.
Which English plots during the 1570s and 1580s had Spanish links?
Mainly Babington but also Ridolfi
1572 - Expulsion of Sea Beggars from English ports
Sea Beggars, Calvinist Dutch noble privateers, were expelled from England. From there, they returned to the Netherlands where they provoked a revolt against the Spanish’ control of the country. This angers Phillip
1576 - Pacification of Ghent
All foreign troops were ordered were to leave the Netherlands, restoring its autonomy - which Elizabeth favoured.
1580 - Annexation of Portugal and Elizabeth’s response
Strengthens the Spanish position. Elizabeth’s response is inflammatory: she supported the Portuguese Pretender - Don Antonio - and also knighted Sir Francis Drake, a pirate who had been a thorn in the side of Phillip II for a while.