Foreign Policy - Mary I Flashcards
Marriage of Mary and Philip arranged…
January 1554
Mary’s personal preference for marriage was Philip of Spain. English public opinion was hostile to the union and a parliamentary delegation had unsuccessfully attempted to dissuade Mary from her intentions.
A marriage treaty was drawn up:
> Philip was to be given the title of king but was to exercise none of the powers that went with the title.
> No foreigners were to be permitted to hold English offices.
> If Mary predeceased Philip, then the latter could have no claim on the English Crown.
Abdication of Charles V and the splitting of his empire between Philip II and Ferdinand…
October - January 1555-56
Charles V abdicated the throne, apportioning his imperial titles to his brother, Ferdinand I, and his Dutch and Spanish titles to his son, Philip II.
Those involved in trade were less concerned by Mary’s marriage as Philip’s inheritance of the Netherlands would present England with more commercial opportunities and greater wealth.
When it became clear that Philip and Mary would not have children, Philip left England to rule over his dominions.
Treaty of Vaucelles established peace between France and Spain…
February 1556
The Treaty of Vaucelles was signed between Philip II of Spain and Henry II of France. This was part of the larger Italian War that was going on in the 16th century between France and Spain.
The treaty ended when Philip attacked the anti-Spanish Pope Paul IV, who was allied with the French. Henry VII countered and England immediately came under pressure to join Spain’s side.
Alliance between France and the Papacy reopened the Habsburg-Valois war…
July 1556
Philip demanded English support in the war and returned to England to press his claim for funds, naval support, and troops. 6000 troops had been sent to the Netherlands in January 1557, however, it was not Philip who persuaded Mary to join the war, and it was instead France who provoked her.
Landing of Thomas Stafford at Scarborough…
April 1557
England declared war on France following a bizarre landing at Scarborough of French troops led by Thomas Stafford. He was arrested within three days. No one could now oppose war with France.
Victory for Philip II over Henry II at St Quentin…
August 1557
After England declared war on France, the navy proceeded to clear the Channel and patrol in the Atlantic. Troops were put on stand-by in the Calais Pale and 7000 soldiers were sent to aid the 70,000 Spanish and Imperial troops fighting the French. At the Battle of St Quentin, Philip II defeated Henry II with minimal support from the English.
Capture of Calais Pale by the French…
January 1558
The French sought easy compensation and the obvious target was Calais, launching a surprise attack in mid-winter across the frozen marshes. The 2000 English troops had not received winter reinforcements and stood no chance against the 27,000 French troops. They captured the Calais fortress and the whole of Calais Pale within three weeks and the English Government responded by raising an army of 7000 and a fleet of 140 ships to attack Brest, but only succeeded in capturing Le Conquet.
The loss of Calais was humiliating for Mary, which had been in English hands for centuries.
Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis
April 1559
Philip’s success in 1557 and financial exhaustion made him look to bring the 40-year Habsburg-Valois conflict to an end. Peace negotiations finally began in October 1558 at Cateau-Cambresis and were completed in April 1559. Philip did not attempt to recover Calais for England.
