How successful was English foreign policy in the years 1529 to 1558?

Paragraph 1: Henry VIII’s Foreign Policy (1529-1547)

Point: Henry VIII’s foreign policy shifted between diplomatic isolation (1529-1539) and military aggression (1540-1547), but his ambitions exceeded England’s financial and diplomatic capabilities.

Evidence:

  • Change and Continuity: The Break with Rome (1533) was a major turning point, isolating England diplomatically as Catholic Europe (France & the HRE) united against Henry (Treaty of Nice, 1538).

  • 1540-1547: Henry turned back to military action—he invaded Scotland (1542, Battle of Solway Moss) and France (1544, capturing Boulogne). However, these wars were short-term successes but led to long-term financial strain (debasement of coinage, sale of monastic lands).

Explanation: While Henry secured temporary military victories, his policies weakened England financially and diplomatically, showing a pattern of overambition without lasting success.

Paragraph 2: Edward VI’s Foreign Policy (1547-1553)

Point: Edward VI’s government initially followed an aggressive military strategy under Somerset, but Northumberland’s later policies marked a shift towards diplomatic and financial stability.

Evidence:

  • Similarity and Difference: Somerset continued Henry’s aggressive war in Scotland, winning the Battle of Pinkie (1547), but failed to secure lasting control. Like Henry, he overstretched England’s resources.

  • Northumberland (1550-1553) took a different approach, abandoning costly wars:

    • Treaty of Boulogne (1550): England returned Boulogne to France for £133,333.

    • Withdrew from Scotland, recognizing that securing a marriage alliance was impossible.

Explanation: While Somerset repeated Henry’s military overreach, Northumberland’s diplomacy showed a more long-term focus on stability, making his foreign policy more effective.

Paragraph 3: Mary I’s Foreign Policy (1553-1558)

Point: Mary’s foreign policy was dominated by her marriage to Philip II of Spain, leading to England’s disastrous involvement in war and the loss of Calais (1558).

Evidence:

  • Short-term and Long-term: Mary’s marriage to Philip (1554) was meant to secure England’s Catholic future, but in the short term, it dragged England into Spain’s war with France (1557).

  • Turning Point: The loss of Calais (1558) was a major blow to English prestige—it was England’s last territory in France and symbolized England’s declining influence.

Explanation: Mary’s policies aimed to strengthen England through Spanish alliance, but the long-term consequence was military and diplomatic failure.