Somerset's foreign policy

Question 1

Aims

Answer 1

1. reassert the ancient claim of Edward I to the Scottish throne
2. Enforce the marriage between Edward VI and MQS and thereby unite the crowns of England and Scotland

Question 2

What was Somerset’s overall strategy in Scotland?

Answer 2

Defeats the Scots in battle, build and garrison a number of forts in the borders in south of Scotland and force the Scots into submission

Question 3

Did the Scottish war begin well for Somerset?

Answer 3

Yes, defeated the Scots at the Battle of Pinkie in September 1547

Question 4

Why did the strategy in Scotland start to unravel?

Answer 4

• Forts were difficult and expensive to garrison
• could not capture the strategically significant castles at Dunbar and Edinburgh
• underestimated cooperation between Scotland and France
• failed to block the Firth of Forth properly

Question 5

What was the consequence of failing to block the Firth of Forth properly?

Answer 5

French relieved Edinburgh and took MQS to France in 1548 to marry the Dauphin (heir to the French throne)

Question 6

What did the deterioration relationship with France from 1548 lead to?

Answer 6

threat of war and the prospect of a French invasion of Southern England

Question 7

What was especially bad about the threat of war with France in 1549?

Answer 7

Somerset was vulnerable because of 1549 rebellions

Question 8

Cool financial fact?

Answer 8

Somerset spent 50% more than Henry VIII’s expenditure in only half the time