6. Was Elizabeth’s foreign policy a ‘complete mess’?

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this module, we consider the question ‘Was Elizabeth’s foreign policy a ‘complete mess’?’, focusing in particular on: (i) Elizabeth’s failure to find a diplomatic solution to the problem represented by Mary, Queen of Scots; (ii) her slowness in supporting James VI of Scotland against supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots; (iii) her slowness in committing to the Dutch Revolt; (iv) her lack of military success – with one great exception; (v) the weakness of England in the mid-16th century; and (vi) the fact that many of her foreign policy aims (e.g. the removal of the Spanish from the Netherlands) were ultimately successful.

Course

In this course, Professor Susan Doran (University of Oxford) explores Tudor foreign policy through six key questions: (1) Why did Henry VIII spend so much time at war against France?; (2) Why was foreign policy so disastrous during the years 1547-58?; (3) How did the Reformation affect foreign policy?; (4) How and why did England’s relationship with France change under Elizabeth?; (5) Why did Elizabeth go to war against Spain?; and (6) Was Elizabeth’s foreign policy a ‘complete mess’?

Lecturer

Susan Doran is Professor of Early Modern British History at the University of Oxford. She has a substantial publishing record which reflects a particular interest in the religious and political history of the Tudors, especially Elizabeth I. She is also a Senior Research Fellow at Jesus College and Director of Studies in History at Regent’s Park College.