challenges abroad in 1558

• the French threat 


  france was wealthier than England and had a bigger population Mary queen of Scots was Married to the French heir she had strong claims to the English throne and English catholics may go to her side if the French invaded
• the auld alliance 


  frances alliance with Scotland threatened England Mary of guise kept French soldiers in Scotland so they could invade England this relationshipbetween France and Scotland was further strength when Francis (heir to the French throne)married MQS in 1558 Francis became king in 1559
• war was expensive 


  the crown was in debt and England could not afford war with France Scotland or Spain as this would deepen debt
• France ended war with Spain 


  high chance both France and Spain would unite against England as they were both catholic Spain asp had troops in the Netherlands not far from England
• the treaty of cateau-canbrésis 


  England had lost calais to France and there was pressure to regain it
• how Elizabeth dealt with these issues

  • she sought to avoid war with Spain by signing the peace of Troyes(1564) recognising Frances claim to calais
  • she was able to deal with MQSwho fled Scotland in 1568 in custody of England
  • by imprisoning Mary and making peace with France she only had one significant threat by 1569 : Spain