England During the Reign of Mary Essay

To what extent was England dominated by Spain and the table service of Spanish interests during the reign of bloody shame? Mary I had widespread popular support end-to-end England and make a triumphal entry into London once she was made Queen. She was determined to re-impose Catholicism and marry Philip II of Spain, which caused some contr all oversy amongst the public. Philip was Spanish and therefore distrusted, and many in England now had a vested interest in the prosperity of the Protestant church, having received church lands and funds subsequently Henry dissolved the monasteries. Marys firm Catholic beliefs instilled to her when she was a minor were very strong when she took the throne however it is questionable how much her marriage chemical bond with the Spanish Prince affected her policies and decision making, thus allowing Spain to dominate England between 1553-58. At age 37, Mary sullen her attention to finding a husband and producing an inheritor.Her cousin Charles V suggested she marry his only male child, Prince Philip of Spain. Philip had a son from a previous marriage, and was heir apparent to vast territories in Continental Europe and the New World. Prince Phillip was Catholic, heir to the Spanish throne and related to Catherine of Aragon, Marys mother. Mary desireed to marry him. Lord prime minister Gardiner and the House of Commons unsuccessfully petitioned her to consider marrying an Englishman, worrying that England would be relegated to a dependency of the Habsburgs. The Catholic marriage was less-traveled with the English Gardiner and his allies opposed it on the basis of patriotism, while Protestants were motivated by a fear of Catholicism. When Mary insisted on marrying Philip, protests broke out. Thomas Wyatt led a force from Kent to depose Mary in favour of Elizabeth, as part of a wider conspiracy now known as Wyatts rebellion.Although the compact gave way to a relationship with France, it gave Spain a large enamor in ho w the country would be meet and Marys want for a marriage affected her decision making for England. Gardiner and Paget worked together to reverberate Philips indicants in England. Although he was to be given the title of King, he would train no power to appoint Spaniards to English offices, to dictate foreign policy, or to retain any power after Marys death. Philip stayed in England for fourteen months. He pursued a role within the English govern ment, barely was disliked within the potty Council. Mary, however, often took advice from outsiders such as Charles Vs ambassador Simon Renard and this tended to rationalize the importance of thePrivy Council in policy matters. During this time it became sack that Mary was steadfast with Prince Phillip which suggests Spain were becoming to a greater extent and more involved in Englands relations. Phillip could influence Mary at any point which may have affected her authority as Queen. During Marys reign from 1556, Philip tried to overcome the resistance of the Privy Council and involve England in war with France. Philips cause was alleviateed by the invasion of Thomas Stafford a Protestant exile in France.In April 1557, he landed at Scarborough was almost immediately defeated and was penalize in May. Once persuaded, Mary sent 7000 promenade to assist the French war, who were also Catholic after news they were to depose Mary. Although Henry II of France denied initiating the raid, England declared war on France. The English navy alter Spain important support at sea. Although the troops succeeded in the mesmerise of St. Quentin, the war was regarded as disastrous because in January 1558, England lost Calais the last English territorial possession in France, held by England since 1347. St. Quentin was handed over to Spain and it became clear there had been no gain for England in supporting Spain which aggravated the Public. However, Mary did not join the contend with France until June. It had broken out in January and Mary had originally denied Phillip her help as she saw no threat. It was not until the plot against Mary was established that she got involved in the war, which suggests her marriage did not dominate her decision in protecting the Monarchy and Catholicism.Moreover, Mary had successfully made improvements to the English Army. She had change magnitude ship building and developed the reserves with the Militia Act which was passed in 1558, the foundation for Elizabeths Armies, and national defences were built up. An Arms Act was by and by introduced in providing weaponry to the Army for any attacks. The English navy was reorganised and re-equipped. The main aim was to help Philip in his war against the French, except the improvements were important in helping Elizabeth to defeat Philips own Armada 30 years later. However, In January 1554, Sir Thomas Wyatt raised a rebellion in Kent. The rebels marched on London intending to capture Mary and prevent her marrying Philip of Spain. The government discovered the plot, and exiled Courtenay. Wyatts plot was strengthened when many of the Government troops led by Thomas Howard deserted to Wyatt.The combined force advanced to Southwark but could go no further because London Bridge was strongly held.Wyatt and his followers revolted after small fights. About sixty men died in the rebellion and 100 more were executed. The rebellion was a direct cause of Marys marriage alliance to Phillip. It had been hugely unpopular and many felt she had allowed Spain to dominate the Country to pursue her want for a Catholic England. Moreover, many believed the marriage led to a decline in the Wool Trade, which increased unemployment and encouraged dislike towards Mary. On the other hand, the marriage treaty was Philip was highly favourable to the English, since it would give the approaching King of England born to Mary and Philip possession of the Netherlands, even perhaps the whole Spanish Empire. Although Mary was besot ted with Philip and her want for an heir, it can be argued her need for a Catholic England and strengthening the English Empire was more important.During her reign, Mary looked to make pass to a Catholic England, but her Privy Council was divided. William Paget and Marys supporters wanted to return to the situation at the death of Henry VIII, a church Catholic in doctrine but independent of Rome. At the cost of her religion, Mary burnt Protestants at the stake, which arguably suggests religion dominates her final decisions throughout her time as queen. Her marriage alliance and the war with France indicate Mary was solely trying to fixate Catholicism in England.In conclusion, Mary I was completely in love with Philip II. Her marriage to him allowed the Spain to influence English foreign policy making, in particular the French War which benefitted Spain and cost large amounts of money for England. The public quickly became angry towards the queen because of the unpopular alliance a nd her want for a Catholic England over the protection of the Empire. Overall, Spain did dominate England in pursing their interests during Marys reign as seen by her involvement in the French War which ultimately led to the loss of Calais.