J1 AND FOREIGN POLICY
Treaty of London (1604) – ended war w/Spain. Largely favourable to Spain but their hope’s over taking
control over England were over. Gave merchants opportunity to trade, lifting pressure off the gov’s near
bankrupt state.
Marriages – he used his kid’s marriages to further his aim to be the peacemaker of Europe. 1613, Elizabeth
married Frederick Elector Palatine (his family was connected to many leading Protestant figures). To balance
this, J1 wanted C1 to marry a Catholic.
Spanish Match – From 1613, J1 had the circumstances to pursue this and a pro-Spanish foreign policy. Spain
was the strongest European power meaning it had a better chance of helping English Catholics than France
ever would’ve. At the time, Louis XIII was king of France at 12 years old and Phillip III was the ruler of Spain.
CATALYST TO SPANISH MARRIAGE NEGOTIATIONS
P3 was worried that England might lead a Protestant coalition (a temporary alliance/union for
combined action).
Count Gondomar (a Spanish ambassador) was sent to London to try win J1 away from the Dutch
and German Protestants. This was done by offering a big concession – the possibility of a
marriage between C1 and Maria the Spanish Infanta.
The Howard family were in control over most major offices in 1614 and they tried convincing J1
to pursue a Spanish match as they were pro-Spanish. Many of them were still Catholic or were
barely formal members of the Church of England.
The Howard family opposed summoning Parliament.
A rival Protestant faction (led by Earl of Southampton) wanted frequent Parliaments and for
there to be evidence of unity between king/country. In the Privy Council they slowed down the
pursuit of clear objectives in the 1620’s where there was a lot of trouble. They also encouraged
those who were unhappy to seek allies in the Commons. This challenged J1’s right to be solely
responsible for foreign policy.
Failure of the Addled Parliament (1614). They didn’t give J1 enough money to satisfy his needs.
Marriage meant a huge Spanish dowry (payment in land/money/goods by a bride’s family to
her husband and family).
Sir John Digby was sent to Madrid to pursue negotiations. No rush though because C1=14 and
Maria=10 (years old)
THIRTY YEARS WAR – 1618 – 1648
NEED TO REMEMBER BEFOREHAND:
Bohemia is a region in the modern-day Czech Republic. Prague was the capital.
The Hapsburg’s was the family that ruled both in the Holy Roman Empire and in Spain.
The Holy Roman Emperor ruled over the Holy Roman Empire, which covered a large area of central
Europe centred on Germany. It was an elective title (people elected who had it) but the position had
been held by the Hapsburg family for centuries.
Electoral college is a body of electors.
Battle of the White Mountain (Nov 1620) – Bohemian army was destroyed and Frederick had to
flee.
Palatine was the territory of the German Empire ruled by the Count Palatine of the Rhine.
Treaty of London (1604) – ended war w/Spain. Largely favourable to Spain but their hope’s over taking
control over England were over. Gave merchants opportunity to trade, lifting pressure off the gov’s near
bankrupt state.
Marriages – he used his kid’s marriages to further his aim to be the peacemaker of Europe. 1613, Elizabeth
married Frederick Elector Palatine (his family was connected to many leading Protestant figures). To balance
this, J1 wanted C1 to marry a Catholic.
Spanish Match – From 1613, J1 had the circumstances to pursue this and a pro-Spanish foreign policy. Spain
was the strongest European power meaning it had a better chance of helping English Catholics than France
ever would’ve. At the time, Louis XIII was king of France at 12 years old and Phillip III was the ruler of Spain.
CATALYST TO SPANISH MARRIAGE NEGOTIATIONS
P3 was worried that England might lead a Protestant coalition (a temporary alliance/union for
combined action).
Count Gondomar (a Spanish ambassador) was sent to London to try win J1 away from the Dutch
and German Protestants. This was done by offering a big concession – the possibility of a
marriage between C1 and Maria the Spanish Infanta.
The Howard family were in control over most major offices in 1614 and they tried convincing J1
to pursue a Spanish match as they were pro-Spanish. Many of them were still Catholic or were
barely formal members of the Church of England.
The Howard family opposed summoning Parliament.
A rival Protestant faction (led by Earl of Southampton) wanted frequent Parliaments and for
there to be evidence of unity between king/country. In the Privy Council they slowed down the
pursuit of clear objectives in the 1620’s where there was a lot of trouble. They also encouraged
those who were unhappy to seek allies in the Commons. This challenged J1’s right to be solely
responsible for foreign policy.
Failure of the Addled Parliament (1614). They didn’t give J1 enough money to satisfy his needs.
Marriage meant a huge Spanish dowry (payment in land/money/goods by a bride’s family to
her husband and family).
Sir John Digby was sent to Madrid to pursue negotiations. No rush though because C1=14 and
Maria=10 (years old)
THIRTY YEARS WAR – 1618 – 1648
NEED TO REMEMBER BEFOREHAND:
Bohemia is a region in the modern-day Czech Republic. Prague was the capital.
The Hapsburg’s was the family that ruled both in the Holy Roman Empire and in Spain.
The Holy Roman Emperor ruled over the Holy Roman Empire, which covered a large area of central
Europe centred on Germany. It was an elective title (people elected who had it) but the position had
been held by the Hapsburg family for centuries.
Electoral college is a body of electors.
Battle of the White Mountain (Nov 1620) – Bohemian army was destroyed and Frederick had to
flee.
Palatine was the territory of the German Empire ruled by the Count Palatine of the Rhine.
