L6 - foreign policy under edward vi (1547-1553)

what are common topics of exam questions surrounding edward vi’s foreign policy?

• extent of success of foreign policy

• main aims

• can use as factor when assessing mid-tudor crisis

  • will often need to assess change and continuity between monarchs

who are the key 2 leading scottish figures in 1547?

• mary stuart, QoS → only 5 y/o, daughter of james v who died 1542

• mary of guise → mother and regent

what did mary of guise hope for the future of scotland?

wanted scotland to be an independent catholic nation under french influence

who was the leader of france during the reign of edward vi? aims for the future of the country?

• henry ii of france → son of francis who died march 1547

• wanted scotland to be an independent catholic nation under french influence → agreed with mary of guise

what was the situation with scotland in 1547?

• auld alliance more active than ever

• catholic alliance between england’s enemies of scotland and france exacerbated their already vulnerable position under the weak rule of a boy king

• in potential conflict would be attacked on either side

what were somerset’s foreign policy aims 1547-1549?

• secure the marriage of edward and mary → provides dynastic security & potential alliance

• secure an alliance with france → secure their agreement not to intervene in scottish affairs

• ensure english dominance over scotland → prestige and security

how did henry viii’s will affect somerset’s foreign policy 1547-49?

• somerset was partly bound by the terms of henry viii’s will, albeit having been partially altered by denny and reformists

• will set out a policy to secure the marriage of edward vi and mary QoS

  • term of 1543 treaty of greenwich

  • but marriage was not supported by scottish lords or mary of guise

how are somerset’s aims similar or different to those of henry viii?

• all aims are the same as henry’s at face value

• but henry’s foreign policy aims undulate frequently over time

when was the battle of pinkie?

september 1547

how did henry ii’s foreign policy differ to his father’s?

• made king only 2 months into the start of edward’s reign

• followed an absolutely more aggressive approach

• keen to assert power over england

how did henry ii initially pursue foreign relations with england? (first attack)

• renewed the franco-scottish alliance (the auld alliance)

  • further jeopardised already vulnerable position under boy king, possible attack from 2 sides

• sent a fleet of warships and 4000 troops to scotland to fight english

how did somerset respond to henry ii of france sending warships and troops?

• launched a land invasion of scotland

• 22,000 men

• 30 warships

• 50 supply ships

  • unnecessary escalation and extreme large-scale overreaction in attempt to counter invasion

  • returns henry ii’s incredibly aggressive foreign policy rather than finding diplomatic solution

how did the battle of pinkie end?

• scottish army defeated just south of edinburgh → poorly equipped

what did somerset do in an attempt to capitalise on victory at battle of pinkie?

• now controlled the border region of scotland

• attempted to establish english forts and garrisons → unable to make further gains, so maintained position

  • defensive measures to protect border, but only secure in theory

• massive symbolic victory for somerset, strengthening england’s position

what was the problem with somerset’s strategy following the battle of pinkie?

• expensive! → garrisons were costly burden to maintain

  • put pressure on already insolvent crown

• english failed to control strategically important castles

  • e.g. edinburgh or firth of forth

• french ships were still able to supply scottish army → undermined supposed safety

what action did henry ii take following the battle of pinkie?

• henry ii arranged for mary QoS to be placed on french ship and removed to safety of france

  • presented major long term threat, embodying every threat to the english

• she lived at french court for next 13 years and married the french dauphin, francis

how much did somerset’s policy at the battle of pinkie cost?

£600,000

what was somerset forced to do in 1549 regarding his scottish foreign policy?

• return some english troops in order to fight rebellions in england ans a possibl french invasion

how can somerset’s overall foreign policy be described?

• indecisive, led by a poor general

• vastly underestimated the amount of cooperation between france and scotland

• threat of invasion from france only increased as a result of english aggression

• BUT somerset inherited a difficult situation, with unanticipated events worsening england’s international position as coincided with period of weakness (e.g. henry ii’s inheritance of the throne)

what were the consequences of the battle of pinkie?

• face value victory contributed to prestige, gained some territory in south of scotland

• in long-term causes more problems than it solves

• circumstances became incredibly negative in every aspect

• only strengthened relationship between france and scotland → pushed enemies together

• put increased pressure on economy already in crisis

what were the foreign policy aims of northumberland 1549-1553?

• cut expenditure on warfare and foreign policy

• secure alliances with scotland and france to guarantee england’s security (esp. against HRE)

how did northumberland’s aims differ to somerset’s?

• entirely shaped by inherited situation rather than own self-interest and ego

• predominantly reactionary to circumstance

• pragmatic, prioritising kingdom’s best interests

why was there such a significant change to foreign policy between somerset and northumberland?

• nearly complete change in direction of policy

• predominantly due to urgent need to stabilise crown finances

• needed to concentrate on preventing domestic uprising

• secure more friendly relations with france → valuable ally in case of charles v opposing northumberland’s more radical church reforms

what was the name of northumberland’s peace treaty with france? when?

the treaty of boulogne 1550

what key word can be used to describe northumberland‘s treaty of boulogne?

pragmatic

what were the terms of the 1550 treaty of boulogne?

• england would return boulogne to france → france compensates with £133,333

  • symbolic loss of english possession in france as key port BUT was expensive to maintain

• england would remove all garrisons and troops from scotland

• english-scottish border to return to pre 1542 position

• perpetual defensive alliance between england and france

• marriage agreed between edward vi and henry ii‘s eldest daughter

how did the 1550 treaty of boulogne benefit england?

• majorly contributed to economic stability

  • reduced debts by bolstering crown finances at the sacrifice of prestige

  • shed significant financial burden, greater security

• defensive alliance contributed to prestige

• reduced threat of auld alliance and possibility of war in time when england was highly vulnerable

• possibility of marriage provided hope of dynastic security

what were relations like with CVHRE under the leadership of northumberland? demonstrated by?

• angered by closer relations of england and france

• outraged at increasingly radical reform to church led by northumberland after 1549

  • was devout catholic himself

• considered invasion of england in 1551

how did northumberland react to the potential invasion of england by CVHRE in 1551?

• established trade embargo on the sale of cloth to the netherlands

  • pragmatic as chose short-term economic damage to prioritise security and avoid costly war in the long term

  • causes financial damage to leaders of europe, unable to trade freely

how did CVHRE react to northumberland’s trade embargo?

• june 1552 - improved relations for economic reasons and need for support

  • overall success for dudle

evidence for england being in a stronger position in 1553 rather than 1547

• june 1552 - improved relations with CVHRE and avoided expensive war

• financial contributions of treaty of boulogne

• no longer had to maintain military presence in scotland or boulogne

  • shed financial burdens with minimal loss of prestige

• temporary security against scotland, short-term end to conflict

• potential dynastic security and long-term defensive alliance with france through betrothal of edward vi

evidence for england NOT being in a stronger position in 1553 rather than 1547

• lost prestige through symbolic loss of possession of boulogne and retreat within scotland

• 1549 onward increasingly radical religious reforms endangered england to catholic attack

• economy remained weak in long term

  • somerset exacerbated vulnerability through expensive, excessive military attack

• truce with scotland and france remained tenuous, easily triggered

• mary QoS remained in france, alliance strengthened through marriage to dauphin

• long term consequences of battle of pinkie (sept 1547)