±«Óătv

Challenges to Elizabeth's rule - EdexcelRivalry with Spain

Elizabeth faced challenges throughout her long reign - from Mary, Queen of Scots, to the Spanish Armada. She was a cautious ruler who acted carefully to preserve England’s security.

Part of HistoryElizabeth I

Rivalry with Spain

During the early years of Elizabeth’s reign Spain (the most powerful country in the world at that time) and England remained friendly. Over time tension built up leading to war in 1585 and an invasion of England in 1588, known as the Spanish Armada.

What led to war?

Six factors that led to war between England and Spain in 1585
IssueExplanation
Religious differencesSpain was a Catholic country and England a Protestant country – meaning that the two rulers had conflicting spiritual outlooks.
Marriage rejectionKing Philip of Spain had been married to Elizabeth’s sister, Mary I. When Mary died he offered to marry Elizabeth but she rejected him.
PiracyEnglish sailors like Hawkins and Drake attacked and stole treasure from Spanish ships in the New World. King Philip was furious but Elizabeth encouraged and rewarded adventurers.
The civil war in FranceFrance was the traditional enemy of both England and Spain, meaning that they united together against the country. Now France was in civil war it was preoccupied with its own issues and no longer posed a threat – so the alliance between Spain and England was not necessary anymore.
Spain supported Catholic plotsThere was evidence of Spanish support for plots to restore Catholicism to England, particularly involving getting Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne and Elizabeth off.
The Dutch RevoltProtestants in the Netherlands began a revolt against Spanish rule in 1572. Elizabeth secretly supported the Dutch rebels because she knew the Dutch revolt would keep the Spanish too busy to threaten England.
Elizabeth’s army joined the Dutch rebels Elizabeth sent an army to help the Dutch rebels fight Spain. For the first time English and Spanish armies were fighting each other. England and Spain were now at war.
IssueReligious differences
ExplanationSpain was a Catholic country and England a Protestant country – meaning that the two rulers had conflicting spiritual outlooks.
IssueMarriage rejection
ExplanationKing Philip of Spain had been married to Elizabeth’s sister, Mary I. When Mary died he offered to marry Elizabeth but she rejected him.
IssuePiracy
ExplanationEnglish sailors like Hawkins and Drake attacked and stole treasure from Spanish ships in the New World. King Philip was furious but Elizabeth encouraged and rewarded adventurers.
IssueThe civil war in France
ExplanationFrance was the traditional enemy of both England and Spain, meaning that they united together against the country. Now France was in civil war it was preoccupied with its own issues and no longer posed a threat – so the alliance between Spain and England was not necessary anymore.
IssueSpain supported Catholic plots
ExplanationThere was evidence of Spanish support for plots to restore Catholicism to England, particularly involving getting Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne and Elizabeth off.
IssueThe Dutch Revolt
ExplanationProtestants in the Netherlands began a revolt against Spanish rule in 1572. Elizabeth secretly supported the Dutch rebels because she knew the Dutch revolt would keep the Spanish too busy to threaten England.
IssueElizabeth’s army joined the Dutch rebels
ExplanationElizabeth sent an army to help the Dutch rebels fight Spain. For the first time English and Spanish armies were fighting each other. England and Spain were now at war.

Why were the Netherlands so important?

The Netherlands were ruled by Spain but the English saw the Netherlands as a vital place for trade.

By 1572 Protestant ideas had spread in the Netherlands and Protestant Dutch rebels began a campaign for independence from Catholic Spain, leading to the Dutch Revolt.

King Philip of Spain sent an army to defeat the rebels. Following the death of the Dutch rebel leader, William of Orange, Elizabeth was approached to become Queen of the Dutch. She declined but sent an army to fight with the Dutch against Spain.

Throughout the 1590s the Dutch won several victories against the Spanish and by 1609, after Elizabeth’s death, the Dutch Protestants won control of Holland.

Next page
The Spanish Armada
Previous page
Mary is executed

More guides on this topic

Related links