Englands relations with Spain

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Relations to 1585

Anglo-Spanish relations began cordially in the 1560s as Phillip proposed marriage with Elizabeth. However, they had deteriorated by the 1570s and became steadily worse during the rest of Elizabeth's reign.

  • John Hawkins trading activity threatened the Spanish trading monopoly in the Carribean.
  • In the Netherlands, the Catholic Phillip II (who controlled the Netherlands) clashed with the Dutch protestants. Protestant councillors pressurised Elizabeth to aid the protestants. She was reluctant to support rebels but her expulsion from English ports of the sea beggars (Dutch pirates) in 1572 sparked a revolt in the Netherlands against Spanish rule.
  • 1568- The English seized Spanish vessels, driven by a storm into English ports, and confiscated the money they carried, which was intended to pay Phillips army in the Netherlands.
  • Phillip supported the Northern rebellion (1569) and the Ridolfi plot to replace Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots (1571)
  • 1570 and early 1580s- Phillips success in the Netherlands were of concern to Elizabeth; relations continued to deteriorate as privateers captured considerable quantities of Spanish bullion on its way to Europe from the new world.
  • 1584- Phillips treaty of Joinville…

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