Edward F

• Foreign Policy

  • Somerset was bound by Henry’s wish for Edward to marry Mary Queen of Scots
  • Somerset had been the leader of successful attacks in the 1540s and planned to save money by garrisoning the Scottish low lands
  • ending the war would be unpopular
• How much did the Scottish campaign cost between 1547-49

  £600,000
• What foreign policy issued did Edward inherit?

  • An unfinished war against Scotland
  • His proposed engagement to Mary Queen of Scots
  • Continued tensions with France - especially regarding Boulogne
  • Northumberland and Somerset had been Henry’s most successful generals
• Which 1546 treaty had left Boulogne in English hands until 1554

  Treaty of Ardres
• The Betrothal between Edward and Mary Queen of Scots had been confirmed in Henry’s will
• Who became King of France in 1547

  Henry II
• Who was Somerset under Henry VIII foreign policy

  Lord Admiral
• Somserset’s main foreign policy aims

  • marry Edward to Mary Queen of Scots
  • conquer Scotland
  • avoid war with France
• English Victory over the Scots

  • Henry sent 4,000 soldiers to Scotland in June 1547
  • Somerset launched a naval and land invasion, a decisive victory was achieved at the battle of Pinkie
  • domestic concerns caused him to return to London
  • he left Garrisons behind to maintain control
  • in Janruary 1548 he made an appeal to the Scots to agree to the marriage between Edward and Mary so that the countries would become like ‘two brethren of one island of Great Britain‘
• The policy of Garrisoning

  • Conducting raids and then withdrawing proved too expensive, garrisons would establish A permanent English presence
  • 25 garrisons were established and a further 14 were planned
  • He believed these would weaken Scottish resistance and facilitate the marriage alliance
• The failure of Garrisoning

  • 10,000 French troops arrived in June 1548
  • this made the garrison system unworkable because they were poorly defended
  • In July, Mary was taken to France - defeating the primary purpose of the garrisons
  • if Somerset sent troops to defend the garrisons, especially Haddington, the French might use the opportunity to retake Boulogne
  • his problems multiplied with the unrest of 1549
• Contrary to Somerset‘s expectations, garrisoning proved more expensive that Henry’s raids - how much did they cost?

  £350,000
• Who did England try and fail to get support from

  Charles V
• The Treaty of Boulogne - 28 March 1550

  • England gave up control of Boulogne for 400,000 crowns
  • marriage was arranged with Edward and Elizabeth (daughter of Henry II)
  • England agreed to remove troops from Scotland and not declare war unless provoked
  • England and France made a defensive alliance and England agreed to remain neutral in continental wars
• Why did Somerset have to slow religous developments?

  • He needed strong diplomatic relations with Charles V to deter a French attack
  • therefore, his religious policy had to be slower and more ambiguous
• Northumberland foreign policy evaluation

  • his recognition of England’s financial position and military weakness made surrendering Boulogne the pragmatic choice
  • he understood that nothing could be gained by dragging out the conflict against the Scots or meddling with the war between the Valois and Habsburg
  • By cutting England’s losses he was able to turn his attention to reforming finance and pursuing a more vigorous religous policy
• The foreign policy of Edward‘s reign is most significant for its effects on domestic policy - notably finances and religion
• Key foreign policy points

  • Betrothed to Mary Queen of Scots through the Treaty Greenwhich - July 1543
  • Betrothed to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry II, though the Treaty of Angers - July 1551
  • Battle of Pinkie was a success - Garrisoning was not
  • Edward, despite interest, yielded no influence on diplomacy
  • Northumberland effectively prevented English involvement in Habsburg / Valois conflicts