James I and Foreign Policy

Pro-Protestant Foreign Policy

Pro-Protestant Foreign Policy

Formed the Protestant Union of European States in 1612

Married Princess Elizabeth to Frederik of the Palatinate in 1613

Supported Dutch independence from Spain.

Pro-Catholic Foreign Policy

A policy promoting Catholic interests, marked by the 1604 Treaty of London ending Spanish war

The 1613 marriage alliance efforts with the Spanish Infanta which failed

Humiliating Madrid Trip in 1623 where Charles and Buckingham sought Spanish support but faced refusal and were held hostage.

French Marriage 1624

Charles betrothed to French Princess Henrietta Maria.

Buckingham endorsed an anti-Habsburg alliance.

Despite her Catholic faith, France entered the 30 Years War supporting the Protestant Union (1635). Henrietta Maria could practice her religion, and their children could be Catholic until age 13, after which they had to follow Protestantism. CONTROVERSIAL.

Fill in the blank: Charles was betrothed to French Princess _________ in 1624.

Henrietta Maria

Mansfield Expedition 1625

A failed expedition to the Palatinate led by Count Mansfield in January 1625, lacking French military support despite a marriage alliance. The forces were poorly equipped and landed in a resource-stripped Dutch countryside.

Fill in the blank: The Mansfield Expedition occurred in _________.

1625

Fill in the blank: The French Marriage occurred in _________.

1624

Protestant Allies

Buckingham sought to secure Protestant allies in Northern Europe to strengthen England's position.

In 1624, James I financed 6000 troops for 2 years for the Netherlands’ War of Independence, but Parliament opposed further funding for foreign allies.

Issues inherited by Charles after James’ death in 1625.

James I’s foreign policy aims:

Keep England out of war and make peace with Spain

Secure marriage alliances for his children

Be a mediator in Europe – particularly between Protestant and Catholic

James I’s foreign policy aims (AND RATINGS)

Peace - 5.5/10

Alliances via marriage - 3/10

European mediator (religion) - 3.5/10

Fill in the blank: The 30 Years War occurred _________.

1618-48

Fill in the blank: The Protestant Union of European states occurred in _________.

1612

Involvement in the Thirty Years War (1618-48)

James I allowed Parliament to discuss foreign policy in 1621, initially Parliament voted for subsidies. Parliament favoured an alliance with the Dutch and a sea war against Spain, while James preferred negotiation with Spain.

In 1624, Parliament voted £300,000 in subsidies for a sea war, but James died in 1625 without starting it.

Fill in the blank: Princess Elizabeth married Frederik of the Palatinat in ________.

1613

Fill in the blank: Treaty of London occurred in ________.

1604

Fill in the blank: Count Gondomar came to James' Court to secure marriage alliance in _______.

1613

Fill in the blank: The Madrid Trip occurred in _______.

1623

Fill in the blank: James allowed Parliament to discuss foreign policy in _______.

1621

Fill in the blank: Parliament subsidies of £300,000 were voted to begin a sea war against Spain in _______.

1624

How much in subsidies was voted to begin a sea war against Spain in 1624?

£300,000

What year was James I’s death?

1625

When did the French enter the Thirty Years War on the side of the Protestant Union?

1635

Who led the Mansfield expedition?

Count Mansfield

When did James finance English troops to fight in the Netherlands’ War of Independence?

1624

How many English did James finance to fight in the Netherlands’ War of Independence?

6000

For how long did James finance English troops to fight in the Netherlands’ War of Independence?

2 years

Successes of Aim for Peace

1604 Treaty of London ended war with Spain.

James did not commit to 1624 use of subsidies and died in 1625 without starting his war against the Spanish.

Failures of Aim for Peace

James continued support for the Dutch against Spain.

In 1624, Parliament voted £300,000 for a sea war to aid the Netherlands.

The 1625 Mansfield expedition to the Palatinate failed due to French refusal to allow troop passage. Costly failure. Humiliation.

Successes of Aim of Alliances via marriage

One Protestant marriage (Elizabeth – Palatinate 1613)

One Catholic (Charles – France, 1624)

Frederick of the Palatinate was a leading Protestant figure on the continent - France was a leading Catholic power

Failures of Aim of Alliances via marriage

Spanish Match (1613-1623) ended in humiliation for Charles after the Madrid trip (1623) and increased anti-Spanish (anti-Catholic) sentiment in England.

French marriage alliance (1624)- conducted by Buckingham as James was ailing - meant that practicing Catholics at the court (resented by Parliament and the people), didn’t require the French to assist England militarily.

Successes of Aim of being a European mediator

One Protestant marriage (Elizabeth – Palatinate 1612) and one Catholic (Charles – France, 1624)

James tried to use the 1621 discussion in Parliament to negotiate with Spain so that their cousins would return the Palatinate lands to his son-in-law.

Signed the alliance “Protestant Union of European States” in 1612 – uniting Protestants in Europe

Failures of Aim of being a European mediator

James' mediation efforts failed as marriage alliances did not prevent war, just joined anti-Habsburg alliance.

Spain delayed England's involvement in the Thirty Years War on side of Protestants.

Ultimately, England abandoned mediation in 1625 with VERY UNSUCCESSFUL Mansfield Expedition

Attempts to unify England and Scotland politically were unsuccessful, despite their shared Protestant faith.