Mary I- Foreign policy and succession

did Philip’s advisors make Mary persecute and burn heretics

there is no evidence to suggest this other than the timing of his arrival and the burnings

Charles V abdicates and gives Philip Spain and the Netherlands

1555

Mary’s initial position on war with France

initially reluctant and she even tried to act as a mediator between France and Spain

Treaty of Vaucelles date

February 1556

what was treaty of Vaucelles

A peace treaty between Spain and France where both sides agreed to a 5 year peace

Philip returns to England to ask Mary to join him in war with the French

1557 after nearly 2 years away from England

when did war between France and Spain begin again

January 1557

Privy council despatches a force to fight in France

June 1557

original force despatched to France

7000 led by the Earl of Pembroke

Spanish army size

nearly 70,000

early success in the Anglo French war

Siege of St Quentin where they captured the town and handed it to the Spanish

capture of St Quentin

August 1557

how did Philip react after St Quentin

he didn’t press home on his advantage and retired to regroup which allowed the French to do the same and launch a surprise attack on Calais

Siege of Calais

January 1558

Size of French force that took Calais

30,000

events of Siege of Calais

a 2000 strong English force with a few hundred Spanish troops held out for 3 weeks but received no reinforcements so had to surrender

Loss of Calais significance

England’s last continental possession had been lost and it was felt as as a huge loss in England and a wound to international standing

Mary’s reported quote on her death bed

‘when I am dead they will find Calais inscribed in my heart’

when did Mary name Elizabeth as her heir

not until 11 days before she died

When did Mary die

17th November 1558

Significance of mary’s last will and testament

Honoured the 1544 Succession Act but never mentioned Elizabeth by name which could suggest some reluctance

According to Simon Renard what did Mary do as she was dying

say that she hoped Elizabeth would rule as a Catholic