Foreign Policy

Question 1

What kind of foreign policy did Somerset inherit? How did he approach this?

Answer 1

• A ruinous policy from H8 - war in Fr and Scot
• Aggressive approach - wanted to reassert Eng’s strategic claim to Scot throne.
• Aimed to dynastically unite the two thrones through marriage of EdVI and MQS.
• Different to H8 who used Scot as a sideshow to Fr - Scot was Somerset’s main priority.

Question 2

What was Somerset’s strategy to Scot? How did this play out?

Answer 2

• Defeat Scot in battle - build and garrison a number of forts in the borders and south of Scot and force them into submission.
• Began well - won Battle of Pinkie in Sept 1547
• However forts were to expensive to garrison
• Failed to capture strategically important castles at Dunbar and Edinburgh
• Underestimated the strength of the Auld Alliance (Fr + Scot)
• Failed to block the Firth of Forth properly and this enabled the Fr to help support Scots in Edinburgh

Question 3

What became a disaster for Somerset in August 1548?

Answer 3

• The Fr took control of MQS, took her to Fr and married her to the Dauphin (heir to Fr throne)
• Somerset’s military strategy was unaffordable at a time of financial pressure
• He failed his main objective - to marry MQS to EdVI

Question 4

How did things get worse for Somerset?

Answer 4

• Eng’s relationship with Fr was deteriorating and they were threatening to invade the southern shore.
• His position in the Privy Council was vulnerable - because he was blamed for rebellion and because his autocratic style of govt

Question 5

What did N’land do with foreign policy?

Answer 5

He improved the crown’s financial position by:
- Stopping the fighting in Fr and Scot
- He handed Boulogne to the Fr to stop the war with Fr

Question 6

What effect did handing Boulogne back to the Fr have?

Answer 6

• Perceived as a humiliating national defeat
• However it massively helped stabilise crown finances as Boulogne was very costly to run
• Fr were willing to pay a massive £133,333 for its return
• Financial recovery was helped when Eng abandoned the remaining Eng garrisons in Scot
• The financial benefit clearly overshadowed any fear about Fr influence in Scot