relations with Spain

  • Religious disputes- Philip II of Spain used to Catholic religion after being married to Mary Tudor

    • Protestant belief system created tension, however tolerated catholics, prevented immediate war

  • 1570s eb increased penalties for catholics, harder to maintain beliefs in private

  • When pope excommunicated eb- catholic missionaries began arriving- move from abroad to revert England back to Catholicism

  • Both countries seeking to expand influence, Phillip gain territories in new world

  • By 1576 Spanish gov in Netherlands lost money due to privateering- couldn’t fund soldiers

    • Began sack of Antwerp- spent 3 days looting, thousands killed, ruined city

    • One of many brutal attacks- Spanish fury

      • United many against Spain- called all Spanish troops to leave Netherlands

  • Rivalry caused by trade most influential factor

  • England previously gained wealth from exporting wool in Netherlands- Phillip led to slump in this market

  • England able to secure new trade agreements- less advantageous

  • Spain only allow other countries to trade in new world after gaining license- England not allowed

  • Francis drake hired to attack and rob Spanish ships- eb not seen to publically encourage but received share of wealth

    • Phillip complained, lost £20,000 in 1572 after drake attacked a port

    • 1579, drake stole £140,000

      • Elizabeth knighted drake on deck of ship he used to attack Spanish- showed her dislike

      • Relations declined

Philip II of Spain utilized the Catholic religion and married Mary Tudor, leading to tensions with the Protestant belief system in England. Although Elizabeth I tolerated Catholics initially, by the 1570s, she increased penalties against them, making private belief difficult. After the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth, Catholic missionaries sought to revert England back to Catholicism. Spain aimed to expand its influence and territories, especially after financial losses in the Netherlands due to privateering, culminating in the sack of Antwerp in 1576 which united opposition against Spain.

Trade rivalry significantly impacted relations; England faced a slump in wool exports in the Netherlands due to Phillip's actions but eventually secured new trade agreements. Spain required licenses for trading in the New World, excluding England. Francis Drake, hired to attack Spanish ships, brought Elizabeth wealth but aggravated relations, notably costing Phillip £20,000 in 1572. By 1579, Drake’s acquisition of £140,000 led to Elizabeth knighted him, demonstrating her discontent with Spain and further deteriorating relations.