Relations in the 1560's

• • Usually cordial, deteriorated towards the decade's end.
  • John Hawkins trading attempted to break the Spanish trade monopoly - infuriating Spanish interests, blockaded to stop his fleets.
• Netherlands situation meant Philip II wanted tighter political organisation and greater Spanish control to uproot heresy.
• Elizabeth pressed by Protestant councillors to help Dutch Protestants - reluctant due to French loss.
• English harassed the Spanish at times, November 1568, Spanish vessels forced to pay to be sheltered in English ports (money impounded and allowed Alba to seize English goods in the Netherlands).