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Francis Drake 'singed the King of Spain's beard' when he attacked the port of Cadiz.

Britain: Elizabethan England - Foreign Policy 1585-1603

From the Spanish Armada to war in Ireland, this GCSE History quiz explores how Elizabeth I faced Catholic enemies abroad while defending Protestant England at home.

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Fascinating Fact:

The defeat of the Armada boosted Elizabeth’s prestige at home and abroad. It was presented as proof that God favoured Protestant England.

In GCSE History, this Elizabethan foreign policy topic looks at open war with Spain, the Spanish Armada, campaigns in the Netherlands, and conflicts in Ireland between 1585 and 1603.

Key Terms

Spanish Armada: The large fleet sent by Philip II of Spain in 1588 to invade England and restore Catholic rule.
War of attrition: A strategy that aims to wear down an enemy through continuous losses in men, ships, or money rather than one decisive battle.
Garrison: A group of soldiers stationed in a town, fort, or region to defend it from attack or rebellion.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What happened in Elizabethan foreign policy after 1585?

After 1585, Elizabeth I entered open war with Spain. England sent troops to help Dutch rebels, fought Spanish forces at sea, faced the Armada, and became involved in conflicts in Ireland.

Why did Philip II of Spain launch the Spanish Armada?

Philip II launched the Armada to remove Elizabeth I, restore Catholicism in England, stop English support for Dutch rebels, and end English privateering attacks on Spanish treasure ships.

What should I revise for Elizabethan foreign policy 1585 1603?

Revise the causes of war with Spain, the Treaty of Nonsuch, the Armada, later naval campaigns, English involvement in the Netherlands and Ireland, and the impact of war on England.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

What tactic did Drake use in 1588 to cause the Armada's ships to disperse?

A full-scale naval bombardment

Sending In fireships, taking advantage of the prevailing wind

Landing troops on selected Spanish vessels

Encouraging the Armada to move closer and closer to the deadly sandbanks around Gravelines

The Armada's ships had maintained a tight formation, which enabled them to reach the narrow seas between France and England. If only the Armada could be split up and forced northwards, then perhaps an invasion could be averted

2 .

Which Spanish port did Drake attack in 1587, thus "singeing the King of Spain's beard" and delaying the Armada's sailing by a year?

Cadiz

Seville

Vigo

Corunna

The best way to forestall a Spanish invasion was to attack the Spanish fleet in port. There were plenty of ports on the west and north coasts of Spain that were vulnerable to raids by the likes of Drake

3 .

By what title (in English) is the Armada plan better known?

The Holy Crusade

The Invincible Expedition

The Enterprise of England

The Enterprise of Spain

Sending the Armada was a huge undertaking, and the Spanish were not expecting to fail

4 .

Which English commander led the expedition to the Low Countries early in the war against Spain?

Walsingham

Drake

Howard of Effingham

Dudley, Earl of Leicester

Elizabeth's courtiers were keen to win their spurs in the anti-Spanish struggle, but the Queen favoured a more discreet and subtle intervention

5 .

Which Spanish nobleman, appointed to command the invasion fleet, died before it set sail?

Medina Sidonia

Medinaceli

Santa Cruz

Alva

Álvaro de Bazán, 1st Marquis of Santa Cruz, died in February 1588 - three months before the Armada set sail

6 .

Which general from the north of Italy did Philip order to provide invasion barges and troops for the landings in England?

Farnese, Duke of Parma

Requesens

Alva

Eboli

Spanish troops had been grappling with Dutch rebels since 1566, but they were the nearest Spanish forces to the English coast

7 .

Which king succeeded to the French throne in 1589, thereby encouraging Elizabeth to send troops to France?

Henry IV

Henry III

Charles X

Louis XII

France had been convulsed in civil war since the 1560's. Elizabeth was keen to keep the pot boiling, favouring a stalemate

8 .

What name was given to the Catholic side in the French Wars of Religion?

The Catholic League

The Catholic Alliance

The Holy Alliance

The Holy Crusade

The Guise family formed the backbone of the Catholic faction, who were desperate to prevent the accession of a Protestant king

9 .

With which group of rebels did Elizabeth conclude the Treaty of Nonsuch in 1585?

The Dutch

The Portuguese

The French Protestants, the Huguenots

The Catalans

Elizabeth was keen to stir up trouble in unstable parts of Philip II's empire or in nearby states

10 .

In Tilbury Elizabeth delivered a rousing address to Leicester's troops, as the Armada appeared to be about to land Spanish troops. In which county was the speech made?

Hampshire

Sussex

Kent

Essex

Elizabeth delivered a stirring speech to her troops, flaunting her femininity and defying Spanish threats to invade

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Elizabeth I

Author: Edward Towne