A2 FP1, Mary I, Foreign Policy

Question 1

What were Mary’s aims with Foreign Policy?

Answer 1

When Mary came to the throne she had two main aims for foreign policy,
- Restore England to Papal Supremacy
- To marry Philip, heir to the Spanish throne.

Question 2

Describe the events that lead up to the loss of Calais?

Answer 2

• In 1556 Philip was at war with France, however Spain was bankrupt and attempted to prove English support.
• Council opposed this, France was a valued supplier of Grain and there was a famine in England.
• French landing in England by Thomas Stafford lead to war.
• Navy successfully cleared the channel of French shipping, force of 5000 soldiers helped to capture the town of St Quentin, another force defended the Scottish Border.

Question 3

How did England lose Calais?

Answer 3

16000 Englishmen faced 27,000 frenchmen, quick surrender in Jan 1558.

Question 4

What was the impact of the loss of Calais and the war against France?

Answer 4

• International humiliation as the French would have been forced to retreat a few days later due to a lack of supplies.
• Short term success but long term failures,
• Anti-Spanish Pope, Paul IV, was on the side of the French and therefore Mary was essentially dragged into a war against the Papacy.