Foreign Policy Flashcards
What foreign policy did Somerset inherit?
Unstable
- Main threats: Scotland + France
What was the foreign policy with Scotland like when Somerset gained power?
- Henry VIII had proposed the marriage of Edward to the infant Mary Queen of Scots (1543) in hope to unite both countries under English rule
- Other countries also interested in seizing Mary + Scotland (this would make England vulnerable to attack)
What action did Somerset choose to take in Scotland?
Joint land + naval invasion to enforce The Rough Wooing
- Tried to force the marriage between Mary and Edward through a joint land + naval invasion
- This would seize the Scottish throne by defeating them in battle
How successful was Somerset’s action in Scotland?
Started successfully
- Defeated Scots at Battle of Pinkie (Sept 1547)
- Gained control of main border strongholds
Then deteriorated
- English weren’t strong enough to push on + seize rest of Scotland
- Keeping garrison became too expensive
What are garrison?
Soldiers in strongholds
What was the role of France in The Rough Wooing (England-Scotland)?
- Scottish asked French for help
- French also interested in controlling Scotland
- King Henry II (F) declared S + F one country
- Mary taken to France to be educated + marry heir to throne (1548)
- France eventually became tired of expensive garrisoning + withdrew
When was The Rough Wooing?
Started in 1542 (under Henry VIII)
Ended in 1551 (under Duke of Northumberland)
What was The Rough Wooing?
The attempt to force a marriage between infant Mary Queen of Scots and Edward VI - bringing Scotland under English rule
How did Somerset leave the situation in Scotland for Northumberland?
The land and naval efforts were ongoing, but lacking in success at taking the whole country + expensive
How did Northumberland choose to take action in Scotland?
- Northumberland withdrew the final garrison in Scotland - effectively leaving Scotland to the French until they withdrew
- Northumberland aimed to end border disputes
How did Northumberland end border disputes with Scotland?
- Got Lord Dacre to negotiate with Scottish wardens
- March 1552: agreed to restore the border to its position before H.VIII’s Scottish campaigns to prevent any disputes about its position
Summarise foreign policy under the Duke of Somerset
WORSE
- Continued wars with Scotland + France
- Expensive
Summarise foreign policy under the Duke of Northumberland
BETTER
- Ended expensive wars with Scotland + France
- Sold Boulogne to France
- Neutral to continental powers
What was the foreign policy with France like when Somerset gained power?
Ongoing expensive war
What action did Somerset choose to take with France?
- Originally: tried to become amicable + form a defensive alliance against Scotland
- Leader of France changed to Henry II (July 1547)
- Later: tried to tighten defence against France
- Eventually (1548): withdrew troop guarding channel, cost becoming high + high threat of expanding war
Why did Somerset change his mind about having an amicable policy towards France?
Leader changed from Francis I - Henry VII (July 1547)
The new King was more aggressive + refused an alliance with England, favouring one with Scotland, giving them no choice
How did Somerset tighten his defence against France?
- Tightened at Calais, Boulogne, Newhaven
- Fleet positioned to patrol the English Channel
How did Somerset leave the situation in France for Northumberland?
Ongoing expensive war
How did Northumberland choose to take action in France?
Treaty of Boulogne (signed March 1550)
- End of war
- Boulogne returned to France in exchange for £133,333
- Perpetual alliance between England + France
Did the perpetual alliance agreed in the Treaty of Boulogne between France and England last?
No
- Second half of payment to English unpaid
- French began to attack English shippers
What was the one main downside to Northumberland’s foreign policy?
He lost Boulogne (despite gaining peace with France + a payment this was politically embarrassing)
How did Northumberland choose to act towards the continental powers?
Neutral
What was one continental power who disliked Edward VI?
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
- Cousin of Mary (+ betrothed in youth)
- Catholic + supported Mary’s religious practice, not English Protestantism
