Historians Views- Elizabethan Foreign Policy

"The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 solved nothing. There was still a successful Spanish army in the Netherlands, still Spanish support for French Catholics against the Huguenots, and still a risk of Spanish invasions."

Christopher Haigh (Spain)

The 45 years of Elizabeth's reign were a time of pessimism, insecurity and national danger.

Crowson

"To dignify the dealings of Elizabeth Tudor and her continental neighbors with the title 'foreign policy' perhaps suggests more than her hesitant groping could substantiate."

Ramsay

It was the actions of the Spanish ambassador in England that wrecked the old Anglo-Spanish alliance and prevented a settlement of the issue.

Ramsay

"she disliked the uncertainties of war and feared a lessening of her authority among those who would consider a female monarch unequal to the task of fighting one."

Sloan

"friendship with France would force Philip to compete for her favor. It might help to restrain French ambition in the Netherlands. Finally, it would stave off the possibility that the two great Catholic powers would unite against a heretical England."

Sloan (France)

"the possible recovery of Calais attracted her to the Huguenot cause"

Susan Dorran (France)

"the subsequent establishment of Protestantism in Scotland effectively closed that country to French influence."

Susan Dorran (Scotland)

Elizabeth was reluctant to give financial or military aid to the Protestant party in Scotland and offered support only when further French intervention seemed likely.

Susan Dorran (Scotland)

Elizabeth had three clear aims in the Netherlands: -To remove the Spanish army -To prevent France from gaining control and thereby threatening English security by controlling all the Channel ports -To return the Netherlands to self-government, as it had been under Charles V

Wernham

Elizabeth's foreign policy aims were very clear, although she was not free to follow an entirely independent foreign policy because she was restricted by events in England, such as plots against her, and by the actions of foreign powers.

Wernham

"she wanted the Netherlands, though restored to their ancient liberties, to remain Spanish so that they would not become French."

Wernham (Netherlands)

If the main aims of Elizabethan foreign policy were to protect national security and prevent invasion, then it was a success. (Netherlands)

Wernham (Netherlands)

Elizabeth's foreign policy was purely reactive and lacked any overall aim or objective.

Wilson

Elizabeth's seizure of the Genoese loan was senseless

Wilson

Elizabeth demonstrated an unreasonable fear of France, given that it was weakened by civil war.

Wilson (France)

Elizabeth's policy in the Netherlands was a failure. Her cautiousness in the 1570s lost her the opportunity to exploit her advantages.

Wilson (Netherlands)