Edward VI Relations With Foreign Powers

Question 1

When did Somerset inherit a potentially ruinous foreign policy from Henry VIII?

Answer 1

1547

Question 2

Why did Somerset approach Scotland aggressively?

Answer 2

Objective to reassert the ancient claim of Edward VI to the Scottish throne

Question 3

How did Somerset expect to unite the crowns of England and Scotland?

Answer 3

By enforcing the marriage between Edward VI and mary queen of Scots

Question 4

What was Somerset’s strategy to achieve his Scottish aims?

Answer 4

Defeat the Scots in battle

Build and garrison forts in the borders and south of Scotland and force the Scots into submission

Question 5

What was a success for Somerset of the Scottish adventure?

Answer 5

Defeated the Scots at the Battle of Pinkie in September 1547

Question 6

Why did Somerset’s Scottish adventure fail?

Answer 6

The forts proved hard and expensive to garrison
The English couldn’t capture the castles at Dunbar and Edinburgh
Failed to block the Firth of Forth- French relieved Edinburgh and took mary to France in August 1548 to marry the Dauphin

Question 7

What did the deteriorating relationship with France under Somerset lead to?

Answer 7

1549 threat of war and prospect of French invasion of southern England

Question 8

What did Northumberland do about foreign policy?

Answer 8

Reduced foreign policy expenditure to stabilise the crowns finances
Ended wars against Scotland and France
Abandoned remaining English garrisons in Scotland

Question 9

To end the French war Northumberland had to return Boulogne to the French. What did this bring?

Answer 9

£133,333 to recover the port

The occupation of Boulogne had proved a constant drain on resources