Elizabethan Foreign Policy

Question 1

What were Elizabeth’s 4 aims (at the start of her reign in 1558)

Answer 1

1. Secure surrounding territory: the northern border with Scotland; the coastline across the channel, Ireland
2. Promote the expansion of trade and exploration
3. Avoid fighting war where possible
4. Avoid aiding rebels

Question 2

1559 - Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis

Answer 2

France was to keep Calais for 8 years, or pay England a fee of £125,000 - unless England failed to maintain peaceful relations.

Question 3

1559 - Rise of the Guise Faction and it’s consequences on foreign policy

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

February 1560 - Treaty of Berwick

Answer 4

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)

Question 5

July 1560 - Events of the Scottish conflict that lead to the Treaty of Edinburgh

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Did Elizabeth meet her aims during the Scottish conflict?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

1562 - Elizabeth’s support of the Huguenot rebellion in France

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

1564 - Consequences of the Huguenot rebellion and the Treaty of Troyes

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Did Elizabeth meet her aims during the Huguenot rebellion?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

John Hawkins

Answer 10

A pirate who attempted to disrupt Spanish trade dominance in the Caribbean

Question 11

November 1568 - Impounding of Spanish Ship

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Which English plots during the 1570s and 1580s had Spanish links?

Answer 12

Mainly Babington but also Ridolfi

Question 13

1572 - Expulsion of Sea Beggars from English ports

Answer 13

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

Question 14

1576 - Pacification of Ghent

Answer 14

All foreign troops were ordered were to leave the Netherlands, restoring its autonomy - which Elizabeth favoured.

Question 15

1580 - Annexation of Portugal and Elizabeth’s response

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

1581 - Division of the Netherlands

Answer 16

The northern area of the Spanish Netherlands split off, forming a Protestant, anti-Spanish autonomous territory. Meanwhile, the pro-Spanish Catholics were concentrated in the south. This gave Spain the justification to reconquer the North under the command of the Duke of Parma

Question 17

When was the assassination of William of Orange

Answer 17

1584

Question 18

1584 - Treaty of Joinville

Answer 18

Agreed between Phillip II and the Catholic League in France, both of whom were Elizabeth’s enemies. This paved the way for a more unified support of Mary QoS against Elizabeth

Question 19

1585 - Treaty of Nonsuch

Answer 19

Alliance between Elizabeth and Dutch Rebels. Under Robert Dudley, 6000 troops were sent to the Netherlands. They were poorly paid, ill-disciplined and alienated the Dutch so much that 2 of their officers defected to the Spanish side. Dudley quarreled with the Dutch, but ultimately resigned command in January 1588.

Question 20

Did Elizabeth meet her aims in the Netherlands by 1588?

Answer 20

Not only did she aid rebels again, but she vastly increased the threat of war by greatly angering Spain.

Question 21

1588 - The ‘Enterprise of England’

Answer 21

Delayed by Sir Francis Drake’s successful attack on Cadiz in April 1587, and indecisive battle at Gravelines (30th July – 6th August 1588) forced the Armada back to Spain via Scotland and Ireland. It is said however that the major factor in this victory was the weather conditions which wounded Spanish ships. Elizabeth was victorious perhaps more due to luck than judgement

Question 22

1589 - Fancis Vere in the Netherlands

Answer 22

Upon receiving command of the operation, the Spanish were forced out in 1594 - with the south netherlands gaining some autonomy.

Question 23

1595 - The Attacks on Cadiz and their consequences

Answer 23

Three attacks were carried out on Cadiz by English forces during 1595, with one resulting in a brief occupation of the city. However all this led to was a further angering of Phillip, who ordered another armada in 15966 - however this was also destroyed by storms.

Question 24

When were the first 2 rebellions in southern Ireland against English Rule?

Answer 24

1569-73 and 1579-82, the latter rebellion was linked to a Spanish incursion.