Elizabeth I: Foreign Relations

Question 1

Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis, 1559

Answer 1

• When E came to throne, England in conflict with France
• England lost Calais, and weakened Crown finances
• E wanted to remove England from this war; financial state of England, France and Spain meant they could no longer fight
• Peace treaty made at Cateau-Cambresis, where England and France also solved issue of Calais
• France would keep Calais for 8 years and then be returned to England if they kept peace
• If France didn’t return Calais, they would have to pay 500,000 Crowns

Question 2

Intervention in Scotland

Answer 2

• Death of Henry II of France 1559
• Succeeded by Francis II, whose wife was Mary Queen of Scots (main Catholic claimant to English throne)
• The Guise family used Scotland as an instrument of French Policy
• French troops garrisoned Scottish fortresses
• Elizabeth cautious in involving herself in foreign affairs where subjects were rebelling against the sovereign
• Cecil encouraged intervention as he knew England would be more secure without France on the border
• The removal of Mary Queen of Scots would weaken her influence as a claimant to the throne
• Other members within the Council disagreed with Cecil
• Cecil threatened his resignation if Elizabeth failed to support him
• The invasion on France then occurred in 1559 to stop French reinforcements from landing in Scotland
• Siege failed, but French fleets were severely damaged in a storm and Mary of Guise died

Question 3

Treaty of Edinburgh, July 1560

Answer 3

• Cecil secured favourable terms
• Guise family fell from power
• Mary Queen of Scots influence on French policy came to an end. Returned to Scotland
• Cecil had triumphed
• E conscious that success had only been achieved through good fortune, and would therefore proceed more cautiously in future

Question 4

Intervention in France

Answer 4

• Conflict broke out between Protestants and Catholics in 1562
• Robert Dudley encouraged E to put pressure on French Crown while it was weak to ensure the return of Calais
• E promised French Protestants 6,000 men and £30,000, with control of a port as security
• Did not have as much luck as with Scotland. French Protestant army defeated and French leader captured. Catholic Duke of Guise was assassinated
• Both sides leaderless, so agreed to peace terms and to drive England out of the port, Le Havre
• English sought peace settlement at Treaty of Troyes 1564
• E lost Calais, however it was a benefit as it was expensive
• Blow to prestige was significant however

Question 5

Foreign Relations Summary

Answer 5

• E made an impressive start as queen
• With Cecil, had managed her accession and coronation skilfully
• Impressed Spanish ambassador
• Achieved a religious settlement that had ultimately been a success