Elizabeth Foreign Policy In Netherlands Flashcards
1560s
In the 1560s, it became clear that Philip II seemed intent on creating a tighter form of political organization in the Netherlands under more direct Spanish control (in his eyes, this was needed to root out the heresy – Protestantism – that had begun to spread rapidly through the southern Netherlands.
1563
English ships are seized by the Duke of Alba, leading to a complete embargo on trade between Spain and England
1567
The Duke of Alba leads Spanish troops to put down Protestant reformers in the Netherlands. Elizabeth was under pressure to support the rebels, but she didn’t. Instead, she found other ways of harassing the Spanish.
1568
John Hawkins’ activities in the Caribbean infuriate the Spanish as he disrupts Spanish trade with South and Latin America and blockades the Mexican port of San Juan de Ulua.
1568
In November, a Spanish vessel carrying money intended to be sent to the Duke of Alba is ship-wrecked on the South coast of England. Elizabeth impounds all of the money (400,000 florins)
1572
Elizabeth expelled the Sea Beggars (Dutch pirates, led by William of Orange) from an English port. Therefore, they were forced to land in a Dutch port, sparking off a full-scale revolt against the repressive policies and the high taxation of the Duke of Alba
1572 treaty
Treaty of Blois between England and France. A “defensive treaty
against Spain”)
1574
Trade embargo between Spain and England is lifted. The signing of the Convention of Bristol settles the bullion dispute, and English merchants in the Netherlands are allowed to practice Protestantism.
1576
The ‘Spanish fury’ – Spanish troops went on a murdering rampage in the city of Antwerp. This produced the pacification of Ghent which called for the expulsion of all foreign troops in the Netherlands, uniting the 17 Dutch provinces against the Spanish. Leicester pushes for intervention – Elizabeth supports financially with a loan (£100,000) but not with troops
1577
Don Juan of Austria arrives with a new Spanish army and begins the reconquest of the Netherlands. Elizabeth demands that Philip recall Don Juan, but he refuses. She finances a mercenary force under John Casimir
1578
Duke of Parma wins the battle of Grembloux, defeating the protestant rebels in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the French, Catholic, Duke of Alencon (Anjou) intervenes in the Netherlands.
1580
Portugal (often an ally of England) had come under the control of the Spanish on the death of the childless King Henry, creating a combined navy that can rival England’s. Elizabeth sends Alencon £100,000 to revive his campaign in the Netherlands.
1583
Philip orders the construction of a large navy, and the Duke of Parma
recaptures Brabant and Flanders.
1584
Assassination of William of Orange (leader of the Dutch rebels) by Balthasar Gerard, a Catholic supporter of Phillip II of Spain. Spanish victory in the Netherlands seems certain. The Duke of Anjou dies, leaving Henry of Navarre (Protestant) as the heir to the French throne.
1584 treaty
Phillip II and the Catholic League in France (led by the Guise family) came to an agreed decision in the Treaty of Joinville which increased political pressure on Elizabeth to prevent Phillip II from supporting Mary Queen of Scots. Elizabeth’s Privy Councilors started to promote the idea of an ‘international Catholic conspiracy’ in order to pressurize Elizabeth into taking military action against Catholic Spain.
1585
Treaty of Nonsuch guaranteeing English military support (7,000 soldiers) to the Netherlands. Earl of Leicester leads English forces in the Netherlands. Poor discipline and bad relations lead this to fail. Elizabeth is furious when he accepts the of Governor-General (implying that he had authority over the sovereign Spanish government).
1586
English army helps to halt Parma’s forces. Leicester is recalled to England by the Queen
1588
Victory at Bergen-op-Zoom for the English led by Lord Willoughby.
1588 22nd July
Spain launched the Spanish Armada, partly provoked by English intervention in the Netherlands, starting a costly war against the Spanish that was to last until the end of her reign
1588 loss at battle
English loss at Geertruidenberg. Willoughby replaced by the Vere, who forged a positive working relationship with the Dutch leader, Maurice of Nassau.
1589-1594
Cost of maintaining force in Netherlands was high for England, but shared by the Dutch and period of success. (£750,000)
1594
The Spanish had been expelled from all of the lands of the northern Netherlands (United Provinces), achieving English objectives as the northern Netherlands became an independent state.
The southern Netherlands remained under Spanish rule (Spanish Netherlands), but given degree of independence and no major foreign power was entrenched in the Netherlands.
