Foreign Policy Towards Spain

Foreign Policy Towards Spain

1. Treaty of London, 1604

   • A Spanish and English delegation, sitting at Somerset House in London
   • James was pleased with the outcome, saying he had delivered the blessing of peace abroad to his subjects
   • Hostilities ceased and good trade concessions were gained in Spain and Netherlands but no concession on Spanish colonial trade
   • Advantages
     • Favourable balance of trade
     • Pacification of Ireland could proceed more easily
     • English merchants got a better deal

2. Dynastic Marriages

   • Used his children to balance out European power
   • Stabilize Europe and safeguard his dynasty through a Protestant marriage for his daughter and a Spanish Catholic marriage for his son
   • Henry was due to marry the infanta Anne, but he was reluctant to marry a Catholic
   • Protestant marriage achieved in 1613 when Elizabeth married Elector Frederick V of the Palatinate
   • James was short of money after Addled parliament and Infanta Maria was suggested for Charles (a large dowry involved)

3. Change after 1618

   • Policy was closely interlinked with James's policy the HRE
   • Reflected growing tension between Evangelical Union and the Catholic League, expiry of Twelve Years Truce, Thirty Years War
   • Battle of White Mountain
     • James' son-in-law was driven from Bohemia and he still would not get involved in hostilities in Europe
   • Spanish support for Austrian Hasburgs was significant as James lacked...
     • A standing army
     • sufficient financial backing for military intervention
     • sufficient funds to support mercenary troops
   • James was ideologicaly and emotionally opposed to intervention
   • Wanted a diplomatic solution
     • Sent 2,500 troops to the continent to indicate concern over the Palatinate, but forbidden to fight

4. Third Parliament

   • Offered James inadequate subsidies
   • Showed its strength by reviving the process of impeachment to attack monopolists and bring about the fall of Bacon
   • Foreign policy led to debates on matters of royal prerogative and parliamentary privilege
   • Common's Petition of 3rd December 1921
     • "aid those of our religion in foreign parts"
     • Marry Prince Charles to a Protestant
     • Importance of foreign policy as stimulating key issues: finance, religion, prerogative and privelege

5. Visit to Madrid, 1623

   • Last attempt to achieve Spanish marriage
   • When this failed, Buckingham began to favor a French marriage for Charles
   • Their activities did much to undermine the traditional policy of James that was based on the Treaty of London

6. Fourth Parliament

   • Keen for war on Spain
     • Supported by Buckingham and Charles
   • Cranfield was removed by impeachment
   • The key anchor of James's foreign policy, peace with Spain, was about to be severed
   • All treaties with Spain dissolved and voted £300,000 for a naval war
   • Approaches to France for a marriage between Charles and Henrietta Maria; successful