Past Questions
Specimen question
7 Assess the importance of the alliance between Scotland and France in shaping Tudor
foreign policy during the period from 1485 to 1603.
8 Which was more important in determining Tudor foreign policy: national security or
economic gains? Explain your answer.
9 How do you explain the deteriorating relations between England and Spain in the course
of the Tudor period?
June 2010
7 How far was personal ambition the main influence in shaping Tudor foreign policy?
8 ‘Continuity rather than change characterised England’s relations with France in the period from
1485 to 1603.’ How far do you agree with this view?
9 Assess the importance of the Netherlands in England’s relations with the Burgundian and Spanish
Habsburgs in the period from 1485 to 1603.
Jan 2010
No available material
June 2009
10 Assess the importance of economic factors in influencing Tudor foreign policy
Focus: Assessment of economic factors in the wider context of affecting Tudor foreign
policy
No set conclusions are to be expected, but candidates must answer the question and
address the theme over the full period.
Candidates are likely to assess a range of economic factors and compare them with
other influences that affected foreign policy making. Essays are likely to stress the
importance of finance which restricted the conduct of all administrations, though less
so in the 1540s and 1580s. Limited finances resulted in defensive and prudent foreign
policies and the increasing importance of continental allies. Better answers should
examine trade issues, particularly in the reigns of Henry VII, Mary and Elizabeth, and
some candidates may reflect on England’s industrial and commercial interests that
were adversely affected by Henry VIII and Edward. To go beyond Band III, candidates
must compare economic with other factors to gauge its relative importance. Areas for
assessment may include religious, political, personal and dynastic factors. Some of
these influences were at times more important than economic and of course some
candidates may argue that economic factors were never predominant. The best
essays may assess economic factors thematically or chronologically before reaching
an argued conclusion.
Alternative explanations are possible and examiners must be open to alternative
approaches. If in doubt, consult your Team Leader.
11 How do you explain the changes in Anglo-Scottish relations during the period from
1485 to 1603?
Focus: Explanation for the changing relations between England and Scotland.
No set conclusions are to be expected, but candidates must answer the question and
address the theme over the full period.
In 1485, and for much of the early period, Scotland was England’s ‘postern gate’ that
French troops might exploit and they were present in Scotland until 1560. English
armies invaded Scotland in 1513, 1542, 1547 and 1560, and threatened invasion in
1497. Much of this enmity was traditional but under Henry VIII and Somerset, war was
a result of personal Candidates may suggest the expulsion of the French court and
troops in 1560 brought major changes since a Protestant and pro-English faction was
installed in Edinburgh. Coming at the same time as Anglo-Spanish relations started to
decline, Elizabeth cultivated friendly relations with the French regent, Catherine de
Medici. Similarly the arrival in England of Mary Queen of Scots in 1568 brought a
change in relations. Cecil tried to use Moray and Morton to secure a pro-English
faction at the Scottish court, which worked until 1581. Relations with James VI were
uneasy but never poor. He toyed with conversion to Catholicism and welcomed his
French cousin Esmé Stuart to his court between 1579-81. Elizabeth was reluctant to
acknowledge James as her heir; he was reluctant to abandon his mother. Matters were
only resolved in 1586-7 when he accepted a pension and Mary was executed.
Candidates should assess various reasons for change, including Henry VII’s Treaty of
Ayton, Henry VIII’s and Somerset’s determination to wage war, the Scottish
Reformation, the arrival of Mary Stuart in England, and the consequences of the
French Wars of Religion and the Dutch Revolt. Expect better candidates to cover most
of these developments thematically.
Alternative explanations are possible and examiners must be open to alternative
approaches. If in doubt, consult your Team Leader.
12 How far was Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon the main turning-point
in Anglo-Spanish relations in the period from 1485 to 1603?
Focus: Evaluation of the impact of the divorce on Anglo-Spanish relations
No set conclusions are to be expected, but candidates must answer the question and
address the theme over the full period.
A turning-point may be taken to mean a significant change and candidates should be
expected to assess the consequences of the divorce for Anglo-Spanish relations, as
well as suggest alternative turning-points, such as Spain’s acquisition of the
Netherlands and policies towards it that were adopted by Philip II after 1556; or
Drake’s plundering of Spanish colonies and ships after 1570; or improvements in
England’s relations with Scotland and France after 1560, which placed less emphasis
on England retaining her friendship with Spain. The divorce harmed dynastic relations
until the accession of Mary but her marriage to Philip proved that amity could be
restored albeit superficially. However the divorce also sparked Henry VIII’s break from
Rome and England’s subsequent establishment of a Protestant church which led to
hostility under Philip II. Some candidates may play down the significance of the divorce
in favour of other turning-points, such as the Scottish rebellion, the French wars of
religion, the Dutch Revolt and Drake’s piratical activities, with perhaps the personalities
of Elizabeth and Philip as pivotal. This approach is fine provided any elements of
continuity and change are assessed from 1485 and beyond 1533.
Jan 2009
10 How far did the Tudors have consistent aims in their foreign policy? [60]
Focus: Evaluation of foreign policy aims across the period
No set conclusions are to be expected, but candidates must answer the question and
address the theme over the full period.
The main aims behind Tudor foreign policy were national security, trade agreements, continental
expansion and dynastic alliances. National security and trade agreements were consistently pursued
although, if there was a conflict of interest, trade yielded to political security. Keeping the
Netherlands neutral or out of enemy hands was a constant objective. Dynastic and marriage
alliances were consistently pursued by Henry VII, Henry VIII and Mary, and less so by Edward VI and
inconclusively by Elizabeth – although the latter used her unmarried status as a pawn in foreign
diplomacy. Candidates should point out however that there were inconsistencies in the Tudors’
attitude towards war. Henry VII avoided war if possible but engaged in continental alliances; Henry
VIII devoted much time and money to waging war against Scotland and France; Somerset continued
this policy towards Scotland but Northumberland totally changed it; Mary was also opposed to war
but was drawn into it by Philip, and Elizabeth avoided direct conflict for as long as possible before
going to war with Spain for the last 18 years of her rule. War was a last resort for most of the Tudors
with the exception of Henry VIII and Somerset. Religious reforms also brought changes in allies and
foreign commitments. The best candidates are likely to explain the more prevalent trends and
account for any inconsistencies.
11 Assess the impact of the personalities of English monarchs on relations with
France from 1485 to 1603. [60]
Focus: Evaluation of personalities as a factor affecting Anglo-French relations
No set conclusions are to be expected, but candidates must answer the question and
address the theme over the full period.
Anglo-French relations were affected by a number of factors, one of which was the personality of
English monarchs. Candidates should consider the Tudor rulers, all of whom went to war with
France, and where appropriate French rulers, some of whom were particularly aggressive and
ambitious towards England and Scotland. Henry VII tried to avoid war but felt he needed to restrain
Charles VIII from overrunning Brittany and threatening England. The vain Henry VIII liked war and
wanted to extend English lands in France but was rebuffed by the equally prickly Francis I, who used
the Scots to the advantage of France. The weak and Protestant inclined Edward VI had to contend
with the war-minded Henry II, who was determined to recover Boulogne, and Mary, ever loyal to her
husband, was forced to surrender Calais to France in 1558. Elizabeth, eager to avoid financing a war
to recover Calais, sought a rapprochement with France after 1564, and was aided by their expulsion
from Scotland in 1560. Thereafter, she did her best to befriend the French without ceding to their
demands. Candidates are likely to argue that although personalities were important, additional
factors influenced relations, especially the role of Spain as an ally and later an enemy of England,
and the changing religious and political conditions in France, England and Scotland. A balanced
argument is expected from the better candidates.
To what extent was Tudor foreign policy influenced by English interests in the
Netherlands? [60]
The Netherlands was important to England throughout the Tudor period for economic and political
reasons. Henry VII established trade links with Burgundy, which grew stronger as time passed and
held firm in spite of interruptions in 1493-6, 1503-6, 1527-8 and 1562-4, until the Dutch Revolt in
1572. The subsequent decline led to a re-assessment of overseas markets and the Elizabethan
interest in transatlantic trade. Burgundian support for the Yorkists brought political security to the
fore in Henry VII’s reign but Henry VIII’s friendship with Charles V, and Mary’s marriage to Philip,
lessened its political significance until the outbreak of the Dutch Revolt. This necessitated Leicester’s
intervention in 1586-7, which hastened war with Spain. The growth of Calvinism in the Netherlands
in the 1550s onwards brought religion as an issue – Elizabeth’s implicit support for the Sea Beggars
and Dutch rebels (explicit after Nonsuch) ensured the Netherlands after 1572 was central to Tudor
foreign policy and remained important enough for Elizabeth to secure Dutch cautionary towns in the
1590s in return for English aid after the Armada. Better essays should assess the importance of the
Netherlands to England and compare it with other factors, such as responding to the more powerful
states of France and Spain, and securing dynastic alliances. Weaker essays are likely to offer a
chronological narrative and comment, with an imbalanced assessment of the Netherlands and other
determinants.
June 08
Themes; Attitudes of monarch (ties in with treaties), involvement of the French, perceived threat
Jan 08
Remember the focus is how far!
Initially consider when it was and was not a major issue.
At times it was not important- henry VII was able to appease the Scots, which gave him a free hand
in FP towards the French. 1489 truce let him do what he wanted in the Breton Crisis. By 1497 he was
generally fine with the Scottish, although as he did not want to pursue radical policies with the
French, he was not really influenced by relations with the Scots.
Henry VIII initially didn’t give enough consideration to Scotland, hence why his invasion of France led
to his northern border being attacked. Invasions of France in 1522 had nothing to do with the Scots.
But on the other hand our invasion of Scotland in 42 (attempts to secure a marriage with the Scots)
and our invasion of rance in 1544 are potentially linked.
Somerset does not want to anger France, but he is fearful of them and so invades Scotland in 47 to
prevent more French involvement.
Mary support Spain against France but ignores Scotland.
Does
Start of Henry VII
Does end of Henry VIII
Somerset CAN YOU DIENIFY DIFFERENCES AS WELL?
Doesn’t
Later on in Henry VII’s reign
Start of Henry VIII’s reign
Mary
Other factors
June 07
Jan 07
June 06
Jan 06
June 05
Jan 05