The threat of France to Elizabeth's rule
Elizabeth had two main problems concerning France:
- she inherited a bad relationship with France from her predecessor Queen Mary I
- the King of France was a big supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots, who Elizabeth had executed
Elizabeth inherited a bad relationship with France
Elizabeth鈥檚 predecessor, Queen Mary I, had been in an anti-French alliance with her husband, King Philip of Spain. During Mary鈥檚 reign she lost the strategic town of Calais, which had been ruled by England for hundreds of years, so this meant that France now controlled the entire northern coastline of France and left England more vulnerable to attack.
France supported Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary, Queen of Scots had been married to Francis II, King of France until his death in 1560 so the French were supporters of Mary and her claim to the English throne. One reason why Elizabeth was hesitant about executing Mary was the fear of possible French retaliation.
Elizabeth developed a good relationship
Civil war broke out in France in 1562 between The Church in Western Europe before the Reformation. The Pope was head of the Church. A member of the Roman Catholic Church. and Christians who broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation. They believe in the teachings of the Bible but reject the authority of the Pope.. This war lasted until 1598. It was not in the interest of the French king to wage war against England and so the two kingdoms maintained good relations during this period. The execution of Mary in 1587 did not have a negative effect on relations between France and England.
To advance and develop the newfound friendship between England and France, Elizabeth began negotiations to marry the French Duke of Alencon, though this came to nothing.