Henry VIII's Foreign Policy Legacy and Somerset's Approach (1547-1549)

Edward VI inherited a complex foreign policy situation from his father, Henry VIII. The young king faced ongoing conflicts with Scotland and France, which had drained the treasury significantly. Somerset, as Lord Protector, continued an aggressive stance despite financial constraints.

Highlight: By 1546, £2 million had been spent on wars, primarily funded by the sale of monastic lands.

Somerset's foreign policy focused on:

1. Maintaining peace with Charles V of Spain and the Holy Roman Empire
2. Pursuing the marriage alliance between Edward VI and Mary, Queen of Scots
3. Implementing a strategy of military conquest and occupation in Scotland

Example: Somerset's Scottish campaign included the 1547 victory at the Battle of Pinkie and the establishment of 25 garrisons in the Scottish lowlands.

However, Somerset's approach had several drawbacks:

• Failure to capture key strategic castles like Dunbar and Edinburgh
• Excessive spending, reaching £580,000 in just two years
• Miscalculation of the cost-effectiveness of permanent garrisons

Vocabulary: Auld Alliance - The long-standing diplomatic and military alliance between Scotland and France against England.

Somerset's aggressive policy towards Scotland backfired, leading to increased French involvement. Henri II of France declared himself 'Protector of Scotland', and French troops occupied Edinburgh. This occupation facilitated the marriage between Mary, Queen of Scots, and the French heir in August 1548, effectively ending the possibility of an Anglo-Scottish alliance through marriage.

Quote: "Somerset's downfall came partly from these poor foreign policies."