Elizabeth I's Action in the Netherlands, 1585-1588 (Edexcel GCSE History)

Why did Elizabeth Change her Approach to the Netherlands in 1585? - Summary

The Escalation of tension between Spain and England centred around Spain’s rule of the Netherlands. Between 1576 and 1585, Elizabeth’s government had advised her to increase her support of the Protestant Dutch rebels. When Spain broke the Pacification of Ghent, the perfect opportunity arose for Elizabeth to send an army to the Netherlands. Spain had lost its wealth and the support of its troops fighting an expensive war with the Dutch. Elizabeth hesitated and lost this opportunity when Spain incorporated Portugal into its empire in 1580.

In 1585, Elizabeth changed her tactics and sent an armed force under the Command of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. There are multiple reasons why Elizabeth sent a royal army to the Netherlands:

1. The Treaty of Joinville essentially united Spain and France. Elizabeth had lost her alliance with France after the death of the Duke of Alençon

2. A campaign in the Netherlands would distract Philip from invading England. He would not have the money or soldiers to attack England directly

3. The Treaty of Berwick (1586) secured England and Scotland’s alliance. It strengthened Protestantism in both countries. Elizabeth and James VI of Scotland agreed to protect each other from foreign invasion

England’s intervention in the Netherlands failed on both fronts. Elizabeth’s refusal to give Dudley enough money and soldiers to succeed in the Netherlands angered the Dutch rebels.

Treaty of Nonsuch, 1585

• In June 1585, Dutch rebels communicated with Elizabeth

• They offered Elizabeth the opportunity to become Queen of the Netherlands if the rebels successfully overthrew Spanish rule

  • Elizabeth rejected the offer. She did not want to depose Philip II, who she believed was the rightful King of the Netherlands

• On 10th August 1585, Elizabeth signed the Treaty of Nonsuch with the Protestant rebel government ‘The Council of State’

  • Elizabeth agreed to send 7,400 troops to fight alongside the Dutch rebels

  • Elizabeth placed Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in charge of the campaign

  • It effectively meant Spain and England were at war with each other

• Alongside the Treaty of Nonsuch, Elizabeth used Sir Francis Drake

  • She ordered Drake to raid the Spanish settlements in the Americas

  • Drake’s actions in the Americas angered Philip

    • Philip was in communication with the Pope about a possible invasion of England by the end of 1585

Robert Dudley in the Netherlands, 1585-1587

• Dudley, Earl of Leicester, arrived in the Netherlands at the end of 1585

• In January 1586, Dudley accepted the title 'Governor General of the Netherlands' on Elizabeth's behalf

  • This angered Elizabeth, who did not want the title. She believed it undermined Philip II as the Netherlands’ anointed monarch

• England's progress against the Duke of Parma was slow

  • Dudley was not a capable military leader. He came across as arrogant

• The Dutch rebels questioned Dudley’s decision-making

  • Dudley trusted Sir William Stanley to govern the town of Deventer. In January 1587, Stanley defected and gave the town to Spain. Rowland York also defected and gave Spain the Zutphen fort

• England achieved some successes in Dudley’s campaign in the Netherlands

  • In 1587, Dudley successfully prevented Parma from capturing the deep sea port of Ostend. This would prove pivotal in the Spanish Armada of 1588

• Elizabeth eventually lost trust in Dudley’s ability to succeed in the Netherlands

  • She reduced the amount of money she invested in the campaign

  • She insisted Dudley return to England in November 1586. She ended the entire Dutch campaign by the end of 1587

Why Did England's Campaign in the Netherlands Fail?