Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

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Relations with Foreign Powers under Somerset

Somerset’s foreign policy was dictated by Franco-Scottish relations.

Relations with Scotland

Henry VIII’s will declared Edward VI was to marry Mary, Queen of Scots. Scotland did not want this.

Henri II

Henri II became King of France in 1547. He renewed the Auld Alliance (an alliance between Scotland and France). He sent 4,000 troops to Scotland.
Somerset established a military base at Berwick.

The Battle of Pinkie

Somerset invaded Scotland with 20,000 troops, supported by 30 warships and 50 supply ships. In the west, 2,500 troops invaded from Carlisle.
The Scots were defeated at the battle of Pinkie, just south of Edinburgh.

Outcome

Mary, Queen of Scots was taken from Scotland to France to prevent her being married to Edward VI. Rather than divide Scotland and France, the policy had brought them together.
Although Somerset had control of the Scottish border region, he did not have the resources to occupy all of Scotland.
The cost was £600,000 that England could ill afford.
In 1549, he had to withdraw forces to tackle the rebellions in England.

Relations with Foreign Powers Under Northumberland

Northumberland’s financial priorities were clear in his approach to foreign policy. There were cutbacks in troops on England’s northern border and in France, both of which were very expensive.

The Treaty of Boulogne 1550

The Treaty of Boulogne was a peace treaty between France, Scotland and England. It was a response to the Auld Alliance, which was costly to England.
It was also tactical because France was less anti-Protestant than the Holy Roman Empire.

Terms of the Treaty of Boulogne

Boulogne was returned to the French.
England removed garrisons from Scotland.
The English-Scottish border was put back to that before Henry VIII began his campaigns against Scotland.
A marriage alliance between Edward VI and Henri II’s daughter Elizabeth was agreed.

Evaluation of Northumberland's foreign policy

Northumberland's policy was a failure in many ways:
- England had to remove garrisons from Scotland and restore the old border.
- Boulogne was given back to the French.
But, Northumberland's policies could be seen as successful in the following ways:
- England's finances were dire and more of a priority.
- The Holy Roman Empire was developing into a key threat.
- The marriage alliance with France would be useful.

1Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7Henry VII & Society

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6Relations with Spain

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13The English Renaissance

2.2.14Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

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