Somerset's Foreign Policy Flashcards
Which of Henry VIII’s policies did Somerset choose to continue?
The Rough Wooing - legacy of Treaty of Greenwich (1543)
What happened in terms of Scottish/Frenchforeign policy in 1547?
June - Auld Alliance renewed (new King of France), increased French aggression led to Somerset strengthening the defences around Boulogne and Calais, Henri II sent a fleet and 4,000 troops to Scotland
September - Somerset chose to invade Scotland with 18,000 troops and 4,500 cavalry vs 20,000 poorly equipped Scottish militia (Battle of Pinkie Clough - WON)
Somerset chose to garrison Scotland but did not take the campaign any further (didn’t take Edinburgh or Dunbar as he could have done)
When was the Battle of Pinkie Clough?
September 1547
What happened in foreign policy in 1548?
Jan - Somerset made an appeal to Scots for a marriage of Ed and MQS
June - French fleet landed in Scotland again
Aug - MQS taken to France, England strengthened border with Scotland but did not invade
Sept - Somerset successfully relieves Haddington from French siege
How many soldiers did Somerset send to relieve the siege of Haddington?
12,000 infantry and 1,800 cavalry
How many soldiers fought at Pinkie Clough?
England - 18,000 troops and 4,500 cavalry
Scotland - 20,000 poorly equipped militia
Aftermath of Somerset relieving siege of Haddington?
French retreated
Somerset retreated so the French resumed the siege - they didn’t take Haddington as they were running out of supplies and the local Scots were turning against them
Consequences of the Scottish campaign
£580,000 spent - paid for by debasement of the coinage , selling off of chantry and crown lands, extra parliamentary taxation
How much money was spent in total on foreign policy in Edward’s whole reign?
£1,386,000
Assessment of Somerset’s foreign policy
He was a good general on the battlefield (as seen at Pinkie Clough) but hopeless as a commander (didn’t exploit victories at Pinkie Clough and Haddington)
