Religion and Foreign Policy at the start of Elizabeth I's reign, part 2

So what of the legacy of Foreign Policy. This is not so complex but no less important. The importance of religion in people's lives and in the running of the country meant that it was also important in foreign policy where it could be used as a weapon. The Reformation sweeping Europe through the 16th century only made religious differences even more important to foreign policy as it opened up new opportunities for changing the age old divisions between countries. It is perhaps difficult for us to imagine such a world from the view point of our largely secular western society, but such strong passions still exist particularly between Christian and Muslim worlds and the unscrupulous can still use these passions to foment conflict.

The foreign policy of Henry VIII can be seen as largely traditional. shortly upon ascending the throne he embarked on an aggressive policy directed against the old enemy, France. This was nothing new and stemmed from Hastings in 1066. This policy took Henry to war with France on several occasions, none of them particularly successful. The policy also saw Henry continue a longstanding friendship with Spain helped by his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, and by extension the Holy Roman Empire ruled by Charles V (also King of Spain and nephew of Catherine). Henry remained wary of Scotland, his sister Margaret married James IV of Scotland but that did not prevent Scotland and France from causing him trouble.

Religion comes into play with Henry's break from Rome and his divorce from Catherine of Aragon. This severely strained his relationship with Spain and Charles V and raised the alarming prospect of a Catholic Grand Alliance of Spain, France, the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy against England. Perhaps only Franco Spanish rivalry kept Spain and England as wary allies.

The reigns of Edward and Mary saw England move closer to Spain and further towards, and then into, war with France. First, during Edward's reign, attempts to marry Mary Stuart (the Catholic child queen of Scotland and Henry VII's great grand daughter) to Edward only pushed her into the arms of France where she married the French heir to the throne.

Mary Tudor, married Phillip II of Spain upon her accession to the throne. This was a good Catholic marriage and once again weaves religion into things. Whatever, Mary's reasons, she ultimately led England into war against France in support of her husband's realm of Spain. The war proved disastrous. The French sent 10000 soldiers to Scotland to threaten the North of England and Calais was lost, the last remaining English foothold on the continent. But as the peace talks commenced at Cateau Cambresis Mary died and so it was Elizabeth and her advisers who had to negotiate the peace.

So in 1558, when Elizabeth ascended the throne she was faced with two linked dilemmas. How would she conclude a much needed peace with France and maintain important friendships in Europe to secure the country from threat of invasion. Simultaneously, how would she steer the country through religious turmoil and still maintain those friends abroad whilst maintaining civil order at home.

See part 3 for the Elizabethan Settlement of 1559 and how foreign affairs and religious pressures shaped it...