Elizabeth I - Foreign Policy

Question 1

What happened in France that Elizabeth feared would happen in England?

Answer 1

• Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, 1572
• The mass killing of Protestants

Question 2

Treaty of Edinburugh:

Answer 2

• 1560
• Peace settlement with Scotland
• Withdrew French troops from Scotland in return for Elizabeth stopping her aid of the Lords of the Congregation.

Question 3

Scotland: Mary, Queen of Scots

Answer 3

• Married Lord Darnley, causing Protestant lords’ anger.
• Involved with Earl of Bothwell, sparking civil war.
• Forced to flee due to English Catholics’ belief in Mary as monarch.
• Elizabeth’s excommunication in 1570 worsened her situation.

Question 4

Ridolfi Plot:

Answer 4

• 1571
• Ridolfi, a merchant, instigates Elizabeth’s replacement with MQoS.
• Cecil gathers intelligence through torture and informers.
• Norfolk is found guilty and executed in 1572.
• Spanish ambassador De Spes expelled from England.
• Queen Mary, Queen of Scots, imprisoned.

Question 5

Throckmorton Plot:

Answer 5

• 1583
• Overthrow of Elizabeth and Mary’s replacement foiled by Sir Francis Walsingham’s espionage network.
• Throckmorton, intermediary between Mary and Spanish ambassador Mendoza, tortured and revealed plot.
• Bond of association created, ordering usurper execution, tightening Mary’s captivity, and dampening English relations with Spain and Scotland.

Question 6

Parry Plot:

Answer 6

• 1585
• Plot to assassinate the queen by welsh courtier William Parry.
• Led to a acceleration of parliamentary proceedings on a bill to ensure the queen’s safety.
• Parry executed.

Question 7

Babington Plot:

Answer 7

• 1586
• Mary, involved in Elizabeth’s assassination plot, exposed by Thomas Phelippes.
• Conspirators (Anthony Babington) executed in Sep 1586
• Mary found guilty in Oct 1586, executed in Feb 1587.
• Mary, Queen of Scots, was already at war with Spain by this time.

Question 8

Why was Elizabeth reluctant to execute Mary?

Answer 8

• Queen Mary’s execution caused tensions with France, Scotland, and other Catholic countries.
• Elizabeth blamed secretary of state, imposed heavy fines.
• Released secretary, remitted fine.

Question 9

Who was John Hawkins?

Answer 9

• Infuriated Spanish with Caribbean trading monopoly.
• Spanish blockaded Plymouth’s fleet in Mexico in 1568.
• Only two ships escaped.

Question 10

How did the Netherlands affect Anglo-Spanish relations?

Answer 10

• Philip II sought tighter Spanish political organization in the Netherlands.
• Elizabeth used marriage diplomacy to support Protestant rebels, William of Orange.
• Philip sent 10,000 men under Duke of Alba to initiate the’massacre of the innocents’.
• Elizabeth allowed Dutch rebels to stay in her ports and disrupt supplies.
• Elizabeth funded a resistance to Spanish commander, Duke of Palma, in 1581.

Question 11

Political issues Elizabeth faced:

Answer 11

• Nobility’s decay and wars with France and Scotland.
• Recent loss of Calais necessitates new advisors.
• Fears about Elizabeth’s young age, FP, economy, and religion.
• Need for suitable marriage partner for succession assurance.

Question 12

How did Elizabeth’s coronation gain international recognition?

Answer 12

• Spanish ambassador, Count of Feria, visited Elizabeth before and after Mary’s death.
• Aimed to arrange marriage alliance with Philip II.
• No marriage resulted, demonstrating foreign support.

Question 13

Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis:

Answer 13

• April 1559
• France retains Calais for 8 years unless there is no conflict with England for this period.
• Restoration to England after peacekeeping.
• French failure to return carries £125,000 fine.

Question 14

How did Elizabeth intervene with the Protestant rebellion in Scotland?

Answer 14

• john Knox led Lords of the Congregation, including Francis II, to remove Catholic Guise faction.
• Elizabeth hesitated, encouraged by Cecil for a secure northern border.
• Treaty of Berwick granted conditional support, leading to Mary’s removal and Scotland’s incorporation into British empire.
• Francis’ death in December led to Guises’ fall and Protestant Scots’ protection.

Question 15

How did Elizabeth intervene with the Protestant rebellion in France?

Answer 15

• 1562
• Conflict between Catholics and Protestants in France led to Elizabeth’s military intervention.
• Elizabeth promised £30,000 loan and 6000 men to Huguenot leader, Prince of Condé.
• Prince of Condé captured, Duke of Guise assassinated, forcing France out of Le Havre.
• Elizabeth’s failure to adhere to Cateau-Cambrésis terms resulted in permanent loss of Calais.