Mary I: The Catholic Restoration · Summer Term

War with France and the Loss of Calais

England's involvement in the Habsburg-Valois conflict and its disastrous outcome.

About This Topic

The reign of Mary I was plagued by a series of 'natural' disasters that exacerbated the existing economic problems of the mid-Tudor period. This topic examines the impact of the 'sweating sickness' epidemics, a string of disastrous harvest failures, and the ongoing problem of inflation. However, it also explores the 'administrative' successes of Mary's government, such as the 1558 'Book of Rates' and the reforms of the treasury, which provided a stable foundation for the later Elizabethan era.

For Year 12 students, this is a study in the 'resilience' of the Tudor state and the complexity of historical judgment. It connects to themes of social crisis and the 'Mid-Tudor Crisis'. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of 'economic reform', analyzing how Mary's government tried to fix the problems they inherited from Henry and Edward.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze Mary I's motivations for entering the war with France, considering the influence of her marriage to Philip II of Spain.
• Explain the strategic and economic significance of Calais to England in the 16th century.
• Evaluate the extent to which the loss of Calais impacted English national identity and morale.
• Critique the overall success or failure of Mary I's foreign policy in relation to the Habsburg-Valois conflict.

Before You Start

The Hundred Years' War

Why: Understanding the historical context of England's long-standing claim and control over Calais is essential for grasping its significance.

The English Reformation and Religious Divisions

Why: Knowledge of England's religious landscape under Mary I provides crucial context for her foreign policy decisions and alliances.

The Rise of the Habsburg and Valois Dynasties

Why: Familiarity with the major European powers and their rivalries is necessary to comprehend the broader conflict Mary's England entered.

Key Vocabulary

Habsburg-Valois conflict	A series of dynastic wars fought between the House of Habsburg and the House of Valois for control over territories in Italy and Europe, spanning much of the 16th century.
Calais	A vital English port on the coast of France, held by England since the Hundred Years' War, serving as a crucial military and trade outpost.
Philip II of Spain	King of Spain and husband of Mary I, whose own dynastic ambitions and conflicts with France heavily influenced England's foreign policy during Mary's reign.
Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis	A peace treaty signed in 1559 between France, England, and Spain, which formally ended the Habsburg-Valois wars but resulted in England's permanent loss of Calais.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Crisis of the 1550s

In small groups, students analyze data on harvest yields, mortality rates from the 'sweat', and food prices between 1555 and 1558. They must identify the 'peak' of the crisis and discuss how this affected the government's ability to collect taxes and maintain order.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Simulation Game: The New Book of Rates

Students role-play a meeting of the treasury officials in 1558. They must decide how to update the 'customs duties' on various goods (like cloth and wine) to increase royal income, demonstrating the 'modernizing' side of Mary's administration.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: A Reign of Crisis?

Students are given a list of 'disasters' and 'reforms' from Mary's reign. They discuss in pairs whether the 'crisis' was caused by Mary's 'bad policy' or simply 'bad luck' and share their findings with the class.

⏱ 30 min·Pairs

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Real-World Connections

Historians specializing in early modern European diplomacy, such as those at the National Archives, analyze primary source documents to understand the complex alliances and rivalries that led to conflicts like the one involving Mary I.

Modern geopolitical analysts study historical conflicts, like the Habsburg-Valois wars, to identify patterns of shifting alliances and the consequences of entering wars that primarily serve the interests of allies, informing contemporary foreign policy decisions.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Mary's government was incompetent and did nothing to help the poor.

What to Teach Instead

While they couldn't stop the harvest failures, Mary's government actually introduced several innovative measures, such as the 'Act for the Mending of Highways' and improved poor relief in London. Active analysis of these 'social acts' helps students see the 'constructive' side of her domestic policy.

Common Misconception

The economic problems of the 1550s were entirely Mary's fault.

What to Teach Instead

Most of the problems (like inflation and the debased coinage) were inherited from Henry VIII and Edward VI. Peer discussion of the 'long-term economic trends' helps students understand that Mary was trying to manage a crisis she didn't create.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Was Mary I's decision to enter the war with France a strategic error driven by personal loyalty to Philip, or a calculated risk with unavoidable negative outcomes?' Have students debate the primary motivations and consequences, citing evidence from the period.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short primary source excerpt describing the mood in England after the loss of Calais. Ask them to identify two specific phrases that reveal the impact on the 'English psyche' and explain their significance in 1-2 sentences each.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, ask students to write one sentence explaining why Calais was important to England and one sentence evaluating whether Mary I's foreign policy was a complete failure, justifying their answer with a key reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'Book of Rates' (1558)?

The Book of Rates was a major reform of the customs system. It updated the 'official' value of goods for tax purposes, which hadn't been changed for decades despite massive inflation. This significantly increased the Queen's income from trade and provided a vital financial boost that Elizabeth I would later benefit from.

How did the 'sweating sickness' affect Mary's reign?

The 'sweat' (likely a form of influenza) was a devastating epidemic that killed up to 10% of the population in some areas. It hit the agricultural workforce particularly hard, leading to labor shortages and contributing to the harvest failures, which in turn caused food prices to skyrocket and created a sense of 'national gloom'.

Did Mary I reform the English treasury?

Yes, Mary's government completed the 'Exchequer reforms' that had been started under Northumberland. They moved the management of most royal income back into the Exchequer, making the system more professional and less dependent on the personal whims of the monarch, which improved the long-term efficiency of the state.

How can active learning help students understand Mary's domestic policy?

Domestic policy can often feel like a list of 'boring' administrative changes. Active learning strategies, like the 'New Book of Rates' simulation, help students see the 'logic' of government. By 'calculating' the new tax rates, students realize that Mary's reign wasn't just a period of 'religious obsession', but was a time of serious and successful effort to modernize the machinery of the English state.