SOFT DIPLOMACY AND ROYAL MARRIAGE 1613-1621

James’ daughter and her husband’s names

Elizabeth Stuart

Frederick V (fifth) Elector Palatine

When did James’ daughter and her husband get married?

Valentine’s Day 1613

Why did James want Charles to marry a Catholic?

To balance the Protestant marriage of Elizabeth and maintain peace with both European religions, continuing James’ role as ‘Rex Pacificus’

What events made James want a Spanish match for Charles and a pro-Spanish policy?

• Spain was the strongest European power

• Philip III of Spain wanted to avoid an English-led Protestant coalition in Europe so wanted to secure peace with England

How did factions impact Spanish marriage negotiations?

The Howard faction was pro-Catholic and pro-Spanish so supported a Spanish match and controlled most major offices in 1614 so had significant influence

What were the economic advantages of a Spanish marriage?

£600,000 in dowry for the Infanta Maria

→ This would make up for the financial shortcomings of 1614’s Addled Parliament

Why did Philip III’s dragging out of negotiations (as he had no real intention to allow the marriage to happen) come to a sudden end?

Elizabeth Stuart’s husband Frederick, James’ son-in-law, took the Bohemian crown when offered it by the rebelling Bohemians, a crown which was historically Catholic.

When was the Bohemian Crisis? How long was Frederick’s reign

1618

1619-20 (1 year)

Why was the Bohemian Crisis a threat to the Habsburgs?

With Frederick in power in Bohemia, it meant there was a Protestant majority in the electors of the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, meaning Central Europe could lose Catholic influence.

What were the immediate consequences of Frederick accepting the Bohemian throne?

Ferdinand (the Holy Roman Emperor and previous ruler of Bohemia before Frederick took over) acted against him immediately and brought his reign to an end in 1620 (1 year after being crowned). Frederick lost Bohemia and the Palatinate was occupied by Spanish and Bavarian troops.

Began 30 years war

What were the major repercussions of the Bohemian Crisis on England?

• Pressure was put on James to side with and help his son-in-law, despite not asking for James’ advice before taking the crown.

• James wouldn’t help Frederick regain the Bohemian crown but would help him regain the Palatinate as it was Frederick’s hereditary land (birth right).

• £800,000 a year to send an army to the Continent (main area of Europe) so wanted a peaceful resolution.

Why did later Spanish negotiations prove fruitless? What years were these negotiations during?

• The Spanish wanted to avoid England’s involvement in their war with the Dutch

• Only held out marriage negotiations to maintain peace with England, not because they had any intention of the marriage happening.

From 1618-1623.

Why did the English public support Frederick’s rule in Bohemia?

They felt he was spreading and protecting Protestantism in Europe.

What year did James summon Parliament for aid on the crisis? Why did James summon Parliament?

1621

• To discuss foreign policy

• Parliament wanted naval war with Spain and a Dutch alliance (not a bad decision as reliance on Spanish gold to pay for soldiers in the Palatinate meant if Spain and the Spanish Netherlands came under threat, it’s possible Emperor Ferdinand would be pushed into a settlement by Spanish pressure).

• James wanted to use Parliament to push Spain to concede/compromise.

What mistakes did James make with Parliament? What impact did these have on the outcome?

• He didn’t reveal his true intentions to Parliament.

• He was campaigning against the Habsburgs, not Catholics, as he wanted the potential for a French alliance.

• Parliament couldn’t understand why James wanted Charles to marry a Catholic as he hadn’t explained his reasoning.

What was the overall significance of the Bohemian Crisis on the Crown and Parliament’s relationship?

• James dissolved the Parliament in 1622 abruptly as he felt Parliament had infringed on his royal prerogative by commenting that they felt Charles should marry a Protestant as royal marriage was a part of royal prerogative.

• Parliament wanted all negotiations with Spain ended.

• James responded to the disrespect of his royal prerogative by threatening parliamentary privileges - such as free speech - as he greatly angered.

• Commons published a journal on their rights and privileges called the Protestation.

• Relationship between Crown and Parliament worsened.