The Reign of James I (1603-25) - Foreign Policy

How did James aim to rule?

‘Rex Pacificus’, translating to mean ‘Peacemaker King’. He aimed to unite Protestant and Catholic states.

What was the Treaty of London?

The treaty that ended the Spanish Armada war in 1604. This was done through the Peace conference, held with Spanish ambassadors in Somerset House.

Why did James keep England at peace throughout his reign?

He could not afford to finance military action, but James also hoped that by standing aside from the religious struggles enveloping Europe he could maintain contact with both Catholic and Protestant powers, acting as a peacemaker.

Who did he marry his daughter Elizabeth to as an attempt to be a peacemaker?

A German Protestant prince, Elector Palatine.

Why was James’ friendship with the Spanish Ambassador, Gondomar, regarded with suspicion?

Many of his subjects feared a Catholic influence due to their bitter memories of Spanish plots and Spanish threats against Elizabeth. Despite this, James wanted his son Charles to marry a Spanish princess to act as a peacemaker.

Who did James have executed in 1618?

Sir Walter Raleigh after a failed expedition to find the ‘city of gold’ in South America.

Why was Raleigh executed?

He had been kept in the Tower of London for years after his alleged involvement in a vague plot against James in 1604 - the ‘Main Plot’, but he was released to find the ‘city of gold’. On his expedition he clashed with the Spanish who he was an old enemy of and was executed.

Why were people outraged by Raleigh’s execution?

It was seen as an indirect act of the hated Spanish Ambassador.

When did the Thirty Years War begin?

In 1618.

Why did the Thirty Years War begin?

When a German prince, the Elector Palatine, was invited to take the throne of Protestant Bohemia, in place of Archduke Ferdinand of Styria, the Habsburg candidate who had been presented in 1617. The elected king had always been the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor.

What was James’ role in the beginning of the Thirty Years War?

James advised his son-in-law, Elector Palatine who was a Protestant, not to accept, but the Elector ignored this advice and was attacked and driven out of Bohemia by Ferdinand, who had become Holy Roman Emperor in 1619.

How did the tension escalate following Ferdinand’s attack of the Elector?

Ferdinand sought to punish him by seizing his hereditary lands in the Palatinate which aroused other German princes, especially the Protestants in northern Germany who feared the same treatment.

What role did other European countries play in the Thirty Years War?

The Protestants of the Dutch Republic and Scandinavia entered in support of the Princes, while the Spanish Habsburgs supported their Austrian cousins. France, although a Catholic country, took the opportunity to challenge Habsburg power by helping the Protestants.

What role did James play in the escalating conflict as the biggest Protestant power in Europe?

James needed to act as a Protestant King and father-in-law to the victim. In 1621, James tried to persuade the Spanish to restore Palatine through the Spanish match. He allowed MPs to discuss foreign policy to frighten the Spanish to agree to the ‘Spanish match’, despite parliament’s aggressive attitude towards Spain.

What was the Spanish match?

A dynastic marriage between Prince Charles and the Spanish princess. James thought he could negotiate an end to the Thirty Years War through this. Parliament were concerned about a Catholic marriage and the concessions that would be required by Spain.

Why was James letting parliament discuss this an issue?

Parliament should not be involved in foreign policy. Their only role was to provide money for any wars declared by the king. This shows a clash between prerogative and privilege.

What did Charles and Buckingham do in 1624 to try and finalise the Spanish match?

They became heavily involved in foreign policy and visited Madrid in 1623; a very expensive trip involving gifts to Spanish courtiers and entertainment. This was disapproved of by James as well as the gentry and public.

What was the outcome of Charles and Buckingham’s journey to Spain?

The Spanish terms were too high for Charles and Buckingham to accept so they left Spain humiliated and were determined for a war with Spain as a result.

What happened upon Charles and Buckingham’s return to England?

They pressured James into summoning parliament to ask for money to finance a war with Spain. James was too powerless to resist due to his age and ill-health.