How important was the Netherlands in causing the Anglo-Spanish war from 1585?

Learning objective – to be able to explain the impact of the Netherlands on Anglo-Spanish relations between 1566 and 1587. I can describe the key features of events in the Netherlands after 1570. Grade 3 I can explain the key features of events in the Netherlands after 1570. Grade 6 I can explain and assess events in the Netherlands after 1570. Grade 9

What caused the Dutch Revolt? The Netherlands was part of the Spanish empire since the 15th century, although they had significant powers in governing themselves. By 1566, Philip II of Spain was worried about the hold Protestantism had on the Netherlands and decided to reorganise the Dutch government and Church. To do this he brought in the Spanish Inquisition to persecute opponents. Furious, the Dutch rose in rebellion and by 1568 it had been brutally suppressed by the Duke of Alba.

What was the impact of the Council of Troubles? To enforce Catholicism and obedience in the Netherlands, the Duke of Alba established the Council of Troubles in 1568. The Council was made up of Dutch nobles loyal to Spain and Spanish officials. It condemned thousands of Dutch Protestants to death and ignored local laws. Many Dutch Protestants fled to England. This increasingly aggressive Spanish campaign in the Netherlands caused fear in England as Alba’s large army in the Netherlands was now within striking distance from England and Elizabeth did not want to be seen as the leading Protestant monarch in Europe.

How did England respond to the growing Spanish threat in the Netherlands? Elizabeth did not want to provoke war with Spain but on the other hand opposed the threat to Spain posed and wanted to apply pressure on Spain to withdraw from the Netherlands. She decided to help Dutch Protestants secretly in a number of ways – She allowed Dutch rebel ships, called Sea Beggars, which attacked Spanish ships in the English Channel safe passage in English ports and seas. She secretly provided money to mercenaries, such as John Casimir, to fight the Spanish. She seized Spanish ships which docked in Bristol which held gold from Geneose bankers aiming to pay Spanish soldiers in the Netherlands. She offered a marriage alliance with the Duke of Alençon.

How did the Spanish Fury and the Pacification of Ghent delay war? By 1576, Spain was struggling to finance the costs of its control in the Netherlands. This led to Spanish soldiers not being paid for months. The soldiers rose in mutiny rampaging through the Netherlands and sacking Antwerp in November 1576. This was known as the Spanish Fury. This united all 17 Dutch provinces against Spain and they drew up the Pacification of Ghent which called for all Spanish troops to withdraw from the Netherlands. This was agreed to by the Spanish and supported by Elizabeth, who secretly sent £100,000 to help the rebels.

How did Spain restore control in the Netherlands? In 1579, the Duke of Parma was sent to the Netherlands with a much larger Spanish army. A much better military leader, Parma was able to assume control of the Netherlands for the Spanish. Spain gained wealth to support its Dutch campaign by taking over Portugal. Spain were able to resist the attacks from the Duke of Alençon which were sponsored by Elizabeth.

Why was 1584 a turning point in Anglo-Spanish relations? Two of Elizabeth’s allies against the Spanish in the Netherlands died – The Duke of Alençon and William of Orange. With William of Orange, the Dutch Protestant leader, assassinated, the Dutch were on the verge of defeat. The French Catholics and the Spanish signed the Treaty of Joinville which united France and Spain against all Protestants.

How did the Treaty of Nonsuch of 1585 represent a change in Elizabethan foreign policy? In 1585, Dutch Protestants offered Elizabeth the sovereignty of the Netherlands. She refused not wanting to dispose Philip II. Instead Elizabeth signed the Treaty of Nonsuch with Dutch Protestants in which she agreed to provide a force of 7,000 soldiers led by the Earl of Leicester to help the rebels. At the same time, Elizabeth ordered Drake to raid Spanish settlements in the New World in order to disrupt Spanish resources there. This was the first time Elizabeth agreed to direct intervention in foreign policy.

How successful was the Earl of Leicester in the Netherlands? Elizabeth gave Leicester cautious orders to stop Spain from overwhelming the Netherlands completely. Leicester disagreed with this aim wanting to liberate the Netherlands completely. Although, Leicester was able to slow the Spanish advance in the Netherlands, the campaign was not seen as a success for a number of reasons – In 1586, Leicester accepted the title of Governor General of the Netherlands, which infuriated Elizabeth as it looked like England wanted control of the Netherlands. The campaign was underfunded which suggested Elizabeth was never committed to it. This impacted upon Elizabeth’s relationship with Dutch rebel leaders. Spain saw this as an act of war.

Significance task Outline in three sentences for each event, its importance in its contribution to the decline in Anglo-Spanish relations as well as the problems in the Netherlands. Then add one extra sentence containing your judgement on its significance. Here you must use the degree of significance words to express your exact judgement. The Dutch Revolt – 1566-68. The Council of Troubles, 1568 The Spanish Fury, 1576 The Pacification of Ghent, 1576 Appointment of the Duke of Parma as leader of the Spanish forces, 1579 Treaty of Joinville, 1584 Assassination of William of Orange, 1584 Treaty of Nonsuch, 1585 Leicester’s mission in the Netherlands, 1585-87

Extension Task Outline the importance of the following people in their role involving the Netherlands in Anglo-Spanish relations. Elizabeth I Duke of Alba Duke of Parma Francis Drake Earl of Leicester

Plenary – a touch of Scrabble The mystery word that relates to this lesson is worth ...... 12 points ..... Using the Scrabble score card, can you work out which word it is?