Political and Religious Rivalry

• Religious Rivalry:

  • Philip II saw Protestantism as a threat to the authority of the Catholic Church
  • Many English Protestants saw Spain and Catholicism as a threat
  • Philip II became involved in plots against Elizabeth
• Spanish policy in the Netherlands

  • Netherlands under Spanish control since 1400s but many Dutch became protestant
  • Spanish campaign under the Duke of Alba there to become a Catholic country
  • Spain's campaign angered many in Elizabeth's government who now saw Spain as hostile
• English response to Spanish:

  Elizabeth wanted to help Dutch protestants:

  • Allowed sea beggars safe passage in English ports
  • Provided financial support, including volunteers led by John Casmir
  • English privateers like Drake were encouraged to attack Spanish shipping in Latin America
  • Elizabeth proposed marriage to Duke of Alencon to persuade him to fight Spain in Netherlands
• Spanish Fury and Pacification of Ghent:

  • 1576: Spanish Gov in Netherlands found war to be unaffordable
  • Spanish troops went unpaid
  • Looted Antwerp (17 Dutch provinces)
  • Catholic and Protestant Dutch unite and draw document called Pacification of Ghent - all Spanish troops to be expelled
• Restoring Spanish Influence:

  • 1584: Control had been restored under Duke of Palma
  • English allies were dead
  • Treaty of Joinville (1584) strengthened relations between Catholic France and Spain
  • Dutch Catholics were ready to make peace with Spain
• England and Spain close to war:

  • 1587: Philip II blamed English support of Dutch rebels for making situation worse
  • Philip II blamed English Privateers
  • Elizabeth's government blamed Spain for plots