Elizabeth I & relations with foreign Powers

Whilst consolidating her power, Elizabeth had to deal with the threat of Scotland and France.

• Elizabeth I's cousin, Mary was the Queen of Scotland.
• Mary had married Prince Francis of France.
• Following the death of Francis' father, Henry II, Mary and her husband became the rulers of France.
• However, Francis II died in 1560 and Mary returned to Scotland

• Elizabeth I's cousin, Mary was the Queen of Scotland.
• Mary had married Prince Francis of France.
• Following the death of Francis' father, Henry II, Mary and her husband became the rulers of France.
• However, Francis II died in 1560 and Mary returned to Scotland

• Under pressure from her advisors, Elizabeth I supported a rebellion in Scotland against Mary of Guise (the regent of Scotland).
• This rebellion was led by John Knox and Scottish noblemen, called the Lords of the Congregation.
• After successfully seizing power, these noblemen formed a parliament and reformed the Church of Scotland.
• This reduced Scotland's threat to Elizabeth I

• The Treaty of Edinburgh was signed between England, Scotland and France in 1560.
• This treaty put an end to the rebellion led by the Lords of the Congregation.
• The treaty ended the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France, reducing the threat of these countries to England.
• Elizabeth I secured peace with France by signing the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis.
• This demonstrates Elizabeth I's desire to avoid costly wars and keep peace with England's neighbours.

• In 1562 France was thrust into the Wars of Religion.
• This was a conflict between Catholics and Huguenots (Protestants).
• This internal fighting meant France was less of a threat to England.

King Philip II ruled Spain and the Netherlands. As a Catholic monarch, Philip was a potential threat to Elizabeth I.

• The Netherlands was a vital trading partner with England.
• In 1563, Philip II banned English cloth imports to the Netherlands.
• This damaged England's economy

• This ban was supposedly meant to protect the Netherlands against infection from England.
• However, in reality it was a reaction against England's growing power in their trading relationship. It may also have been in response to Elizabeth ignoring the Protestant messages English merchants were spreading to the Dutch people

• Elizabeth also banned dutch imports.
• By 1564, both bans were lifted and trade relations returned to normal. 

• Although Elizabeth tried to maintain peace with Philip II, she was aware of the threat he posed.