challenges abroad

Question 1

List the 5 main problems Elizabeth faced from abroad:

Answer 1

1. ) Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis
2. ) France had ended its war with Spain
3. ) The French threat
4. ) War was expensive
5. ) The Auld Alliance

Question 2

Explain the problem of Cateau-Cambresis:

Answer 2

This meant that Elizabeth lost the territory of Calais to France, which was the last piece of territory she owned on the continent. Later, in 1564, Elizabeth signed the Peace of Troyes stating that France did have ownership of Calais, in order to avoid further angering France.

Question 3

Explain the problem of France and Spain’s war ending:

Answer 3

Because France and Spain’s war had just ended, neither of them had their military resources stretched anymore. This meant they would be financially in a position to begin a war with England. Also, there was the threat of an alliance between Catholic Spain and Catholic France against Protestant Elizabeth.

Question 4

Explain the problem of the French threat:

Answer 4

France was richer and had a bigger population than England, making England more vulnerable if a war between the two countries was to break out. Also, France and Scotland had a strong relationship, because of the Auld Alliance, and later because of the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots to King Francis II of France.

Question 5

Explain the problem of the expense of war:

Answer 5

At the time of Elizabeth’s rule, The Crown had a debt of £300,000- an even more significant number at the time. War was expensive and Elizabeth didn’t have the money available to fund a war. This made Elizabeth appear a weak, vulnerable target for a war.

Question 6

Explain the problem of the Auld Alliance:

Answer 6

The Auld Alliance, agreed by Mary of Guise on behalf of her infantile daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots stated that French troops could be held in Scotland, ready to attack England. Of course, this posed a threat to Elizabeth.

Question 7

Explain what Elizabeth did to deal with these problems:

Answer 7

Elizabeth signed the Peace of Troyes in 1564, to state that France did officially have rightful ownership of Calais- this aimed to prevent a war with France. In 1568 when Mary, Queen of Scots was accused of being involved in the death of her husband, Lord Darnley, she fled to England. Elizabeth held her in English custody, but in comfort- this removed Mary as a threat. By selling £120,000 worth of Crown land, using her personal savings and cutting running costs of her home, Elizabeth had England out of debt by 1574, for the first time since 1558.

This meant that only one significant threat remained… SPAIN.