The Triumph of Elizabeth, 1563-1603: Foreign Affairs - Relations with Spain

Question 1

Give 3 examples of the positive Anglo-Spanish relationship

Answer 1

• England and Spain shared cloth trade links in the Netherlands (under Spanish influence)
- 75% of England’s overseas trade passed through Dutch city of Antwerp

• Philip encouraged his Habsburg relatives to seek a marriage alliance with Elizabeth

• Philip persuades Pope not to excommunicate Elizabeth twice

Question 2

Why did Anglo-Spanish relations deteriorate from 1560-85?

Answer 2

• Rise in power of Dutch Protestants
• Piracy
• Trading competition in the Caribbean

Question 3

Explain how trading competition in the Caribbean led to a deterioration of Anglo-Spanish relations

Answer 3

• John Hawkins wanted to stop Spanish trading monopoly in Caribbean
• September 1568 - Hawkins’ fleet blockaded in Mexican port of San Juan de Ulúa
• Only 2 of his ships managed to escape

Question 4

What aims did Philip have for the Netherlands?

Answer 4

• Philip wanted more Spanish political control of Netherlands to help root out heresy

Question 5

How did piracy contribute to deteriorating Anglo-Spanish relations?

Answer 5

• November 1568 - Elizabeth seized 400,000 florins from Spanish vessels sheltering from storm
• Money intended to pay army of Duke of Alba, Philip’s general in the Netherlands
• In response, Alba seized English ships and property in Netherlands

Question 6

When did Elizabeth seize money for Duke of Alba’s army from Spanish ships? How much money was seized?

Answer 6

• November 1568
• 400,000 florins