Elizabeth I: The Early Years and the Via Media · Summer Term

Foreign Policy: Scotland and France

Intervention in the Scottish Reformation and the Treaty of Edinburgh.

About This Topic

Elizabeth I's early foreign policy was a cautious attempt to protect England's independence and the Protestant Reformation without being drawn into a costly European war. This topic focuses on the intervention in Scotland (1560), which resulted in the Treaty of Edinburgh and the removal of French influence, and the less successful intervention in the French Wars of Religion (1562-1564). Students analyze Elizabeth's 'defensive' mindset and her reluctance to support 'rebel' Protestants abroad.

For Year 12 students, this is a study in the 'realities of power' and the limitations of 16th-century diplomacy. It connects to themes of national security and the 'Auld Alliance'. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of 'intervention', analyzing the risks and rewards of supporting foreign movements while trying to maintain peace at home.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the motivations behind Elizabeth I's intervention in the Scottish Reformation.
• Analyze the terms and consequences of the Treaty of Edinburgh (1560).
• Evaluate the success of English involvement in the French Wars of Religion between 1562 and 1564.
• Critique the extent to which Elizabeth I's early foreign policy was primarily defensive.

Before You Start

The English Reformation and the Reign of Mary I

Why: Students need to understand the religious divisions within England and the Catholic restoration under Mary I to grasp the context for Elizabeth's religious policies and fears.

The Tudor Dynasty: Henry VII to Elizabeth I

Why: A foundational understanding of the Tudor monarchs and the political landscape of 16th-century England is necessary to comprehend Elizabeth's position and challenges.

Key Vocabulary

Scottish Reformation	The 16th-century religious movement that led to the establishment of Presbyterianism in Scotland, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and French influence.
Lords of the Congregation	The leaders of the Protestant Lords in Scotland who opposed the Catholic rule of Mary, Queen of Scots, and sought English support.
Treaty of Edinburgh	An agreement signed in 1560 between England and France that withdrew all French troops from Scotland and acknowledged Elizabeth I as the rightful monarch of England.
French Wars of Religion	A series of conflicts fought in France between Catholics and Huguenots (Protestants) from 1562 to 1598, in which England intervened.
Via Media	The 'middle way' of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, aiming for a moderate Protestantism that could accommodate different religious views, influencing her cautious foreign policy.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Treaty of Edinburgh Audit

In small groups, students analyze the terms of the 1560 Treaty of Edinburgh. They must identify why this was a 'masterstroke' for Elizabeth, as it removed French troops from Scotland and secured the Protestant Lords of the Congregation without a full-scale war.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Simulation Game: The Council's Debate on France, 1562

Students role-play a council meeting where Robert Dudley pushes for an intervention to help the French Huguenots (Protestants). They must weigh the 'religious duty' against the 'financial cost' and the risk of a French counter-attack, demonstrating the 'divided' nature of Elizabethan policy.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: Defensive or Aggressive?

Students analyze Elizabeth's early foreign policy actions. They discuss in pairs whether she was a 'reluctant' interventionist who only acted when forced, or if she was 'actively' trying to build a Protestant alliance in Europe.

⏱ 30 min·Pairs

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Real-World Connections

Diplomats at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office today analyze historical patterns of intervention, such as the Scottish Reformation, to inform current strategies for supporting democratic movements and managing international relations.

Historians specializing in early modern Europe, like those at the National Archives, examine primary sources related to the Treaty of Edinburgh to understand the complex interplay of religious, political, and economic factors shaping national sovereignty.

Military strategists might study the limited success of English intervention in the French Wars of Religion to draw lessons about the challenges and costs of supporting proxy conflicts abroad.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Elizabeth I was a 'champion' of international Protestantism.

What to Teach Instead

Elizabeth actually hated supporting 'rebels' against their 'rightful' monarchs, even if they were Protestant. Active analysis of her 'reluctance' to help the Scots and the French helps students see that her primary loyalty was to the 'principle of monarchy' rather than 'religious solidarity'.

Common Misconception

The intervention in France (1562) was a success because England captured Le Havre.

What to Teach Instead

It was actually a 'disaster'; the English were forced to surrender Le Havre after an outbreak of plague, and the intervention only succeeded in uniting the French Catholics and Protestants against England. Peer discussion of the 'Treaty of Troyes' helps students see the failure of this early venture.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Was Elizabeth I's support for the Scottish Lords of the Congregation a calculated act of national self-interest or a genuine commitment to the Protestant cause?' Ask students to cite specific evidence from the period to support their arguments, referencing the Treaty of Edinburgh.

Exit Ticket

Students write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) explaining one key difference between the English intervention in Scotland and the English intervention in France. They should identify one specific outcome for each intervention.

Quick Check

Present students with three short statements about Elizabeth's early foreign policy, for example: 'Elizabeth I feared French invasion more than Spanish', 'The Treaty of Edinburgh was a clear victory for England', 'Elizabeth readily funded Protestant rebels'. Ask students to mark each statement as True or False and provide a brief justification for one of their choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'Treaty of Edinburgh' (1560)?

The Treaty of Edinburgh was a major diplomatic victory for Elizabeth. It ended the French military presence in Scotland and recognized the authority of the Protestant 'Lords of the Congregation'. It effectively broke the 'Auld Alliance' between France and Scotland and secured England's northern border for the first time in decades.

Why did Elizabeth intervene in the French Wars of Religion?

Elizabeth was persuaded by Robert Dudley to support the Huguenots (French Protestants) in exchange for the return of Calais. However, the intervention was poorly managed and it failed to regain Calais, leading Elizabeth to be even more cautious about supporting foreign Protestants for the rest of her reign.

How did Elizabeth's foreign policy differ from her father's?

Unlike Henry VIII, who sought 'military glory' and conquest in France, Elizabeth's policy was almost entirely 'defensive'. She focused on 'security' and 'economy', trying to avoid war at all costs because she knew that England was financially weak and that a long war could lead to a Catholic rebellion at home.

How can active learning help students understand Elizabethan foreign policy?

Foreign policy can often feel like a list of 'dates and treaties'. Active learning strategies, like the 'Council's Debate on France' simulation, help students understand the 'strategic dilemmas' Elizabeth faced. By weighing the risks of intervention, students realize that foreign policy wasn't just about 'religion', but was a complex balancing act between national security, financial reality, and the personal beliefs of the Queen and her advisors.