James' Foreign Policy Flashcards
What is James’ ‘Royal Prerogative’?
The King has power to act without reference to others. Yet he should be transparent if he’s to get subsidies from Parliament.
Who are the main rivals to England?
Spain and Portugal (Catholic).
Conflict has religion interlinked.
What is ‘Rex Pacificus’?
James wanted to be the King of Peace.
How long had war with Spain been going on by the beginning of James’ reign?
15 years.
How was peace negotiated with Spain?
Treaty of London, 1604.
Gave the English merchants the right to trade in Spain and Spanish Netherlands.
What shows that James didn’t want to get involved in Foreign affairs?
1603, turned down offer of a leadership of a Protestant alliance.
What was England’s only role on the Spanish Continent?
Involvement in United Provinces (seven northern provinces of Netherlands that wanted independence from Spain).
Who did James’ daughter, Elizabeth marry and when?
1613, Frederick Elector Palatinate, families connected to leading Protestant figures.
Who did James want to marry his son to?
Spanish Infanta Maria.
What was the backing in 1613 that James needed for the Spanish match?
- Phillip III of Spain was scared that England might take up leadership of a Protestant coalition. The ambassador, Count Gondomar was sent to London to win James away from Dutch and German Protestants, offered concessions over marriage terms with Infanta Maria.
- Howard family, prolific and wealthy Catholic family encouraged this match.
- Spain was the strongest European power, had the authority to help English Catholics.
Why was the Privy Council unhappy in 1620?
Questioned James’ right to be solely responsible for foreign policy
What did the failure of the Addled Parliament in 1614 mean?
No money was being made towards the King, so he wanted the Spanish dowry (£600,000).
Who was sent to Madrid to pursue the negotiations following the failure of the Addled Parliament?
Sir John Digby, but there wasn’t a rush as Charles was 14 and Infanta was 10.
Did Phillip III actually support the Spanish match?
He didn’t, extended the talks for as long as possible, all in his best interest.
Why did the Thirty Years War start?
Hasburg Archduke Ferdinand was elected the King of Bohemia, 1618. But had an anti-Protestant attitude and many nobles revoked allegiance to him.
1619, the Crown was offered to Frederick of Palatinate, meaning that Protestants would be majority in electoral college (upsetting the Habsburgs, would lose influence).
Frederick accepted the throne even though James against it, both him and Elizabeth took up residence in Prague.
Ferdinand moved against them and defeated them at the ‘Battle of the White Mountain’, Nov 1620.
Palatinate now occupied by Spanish and Bavarian troops.
