OCR A Level History A Unit Group 3 Thematic study and historical interpretations: Tudor Foreign Policy 1485-1603 November 2020 question paper Y307

Evaluate the interpretations in both of the two passages and explain which you think is more

convincing as an explanation of why Philip II launched the Armada in 1588.

Passage A

The death of Mary, Queen of Scots, removed a serious obstacle to Queen Elizabeth. It performed a similar service for Philip II of Spain. The Enterprise of England had been brewing since at least 1585 but he knew, of course, that its success would place Mary – still bound to France by ties of family and tradition – on the English throne. He would thereby have destroyed one enemy to strengthen another unless, as he may have guessed, the landing of the Armada forces would have immediately cut short all internal arguments about the legality and procedures for trying Mary. The first Englishman to hand would have cut off her head. But the dilemma of having to choose, as it were, between Elizabeth and Mary, was resolved for Philip by the execution of Mary in 1587. James VI of Scotland, in English eyes, became the heir; but Philip and his allies, including the Pope, could claim that his heresy barred him. Hence Philip had the opportunity now of conquest as well as conversion.

Adapted from: J. Hurstfield, Elizabeth I and the Unity of England, published in 1971.

Passage B Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.

Adapted from: S. Doran, England and Europe 1485–1603, published in 1992.

2* How important were personalities in shaping Tudor foreign policy?

3* ‘The loss of Calais was the most important turning point in relations between England and France

in the period from 1485 to 1603.’ How far do you agree?

4* ‘Foreign relations had the greatest impact on domestic developments during the reign of

Henry VIII.’ How far do you agree with this view of the period from 1485 to 1603?