OCR Specification focus:
‘The Treaty of Blois (1572) reframed relations with France within wider European conflicts.’
The Treaty of Blois (1572) marked a significant turning point in Anglo-French relations, reshaping England’s diplomacy within the turbulent context of European religious and political conflict.
Background to the Treaty of Blois
The European Context
By the early 1570s, England under Elizabeth I faced a dangerous international situation:
Spain had grown dominant through its Habsburg empire and naval might.
France was weakened by the Wars of Religion, pitting Catholics against Huguenots.
Protestant rebellion in the Netherlands directly threatened Spanish power, while also linking English security with continental upheaval.
England required allies to balance Spain’s strength.
A labelled historical map of Habsburg dominions (c.1547) across Europe, including Spanish and Austrian branches. It illustrates the geopolitical weight of Habsburg Spain that shaped Elizabeth’s pursuit of the Treaty of Blois as a counterweight. Date precedes 1572 but accurately conveys the mid-century configuration that persisted into Elizabeth’s reign. Source
Anglo-French Rivalries and Opportunities
England and France had long competed over:
Territory (Calais, lost in 1558).
Dynastic claims (through Mary, Queen of Scots).
Trade routes in Europe.
However, France’s vulnerability in the 1570s opened the possibility of mutual accommodation.
The Treaty of Blois, 1572
Terms of the Treaty
The Treaty of Blois (April 1572) established a defensive alliance between England and France. Its core provisions included:
Mutual defence against Spanish aggression.
Rejection of Mary, Queen of Scots’ dynastic claims, thereby weakening a potential Catholic alternative to Elizabeth.
A commitment to cooperation in maintaining a European balance of power.
Definition of Defensive Alliance
Defensive Alliance: A treaty in which two or more states agree to support one another if attacked, without committing to joint offensive warfare.
The Treaty reframed relations: England was no longer France’s enemy but instead a potential bulwark against Habsburg dominance.
Immediate Context
The treaty was negotiated just before the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (August 1572), where thousands of French Protestants were killed.
An educational map of France during the Wars of Religion with key Huguenot places de sûreté and an inset of Paris. It helps explain why the 1572 massacre immediately strained Anglo-French confidence despite the Treaty of Blois. Includes later references (to 1598–1622) not required by the syllabus, used solely to locate strongholds relevant to the 1570s. Source
This tragedy undermined trust between Elizabeth and the French crown, showing how quickly the European context could shift.
Later Anglo-French Relations
Impact of the Massacre
Elizabeth was horrified by the massacre, which damaged confidence in French reliability.
Nonetheless, the Treaty of Blois endured, as both sides still shared an interest in limiting Spanish expansion.
Strategic Shifts
Later relations were defined by pragmatism, not sentiment:
France remained unstable, distracted by its internal religious wars.
England maintained the alliance when useful, but avoided being dragged into French conflicts.
Elizabeth resisted pressure to marry the Duke of Anjou (a French royal), balancing diplomacy with domestic Protestant sentiment.
The Role of the Netherlands
The Dutch Revolt drew England and France into parallel opposition to Spain.
A clean SVG map of the Habsburg Netherlands (Seventeen Provinces) with provincial boundaries and principal cities. It situates the Low Countries that were central to Elizabeth’s strategy and to Spanish power in the north-west European theatre. Labels are concise and directly support the notes. Source
However:
France hesitated to support the rebels fully due to Catholic divisions.
England took a more active role, particularly by the 1580s, culminating in direct conflict with Spain.
Balance of Power Considerations
The Treaty of Blois was less about friendship and more about strategy:
England sought to prevent France and Spain from allying against her.
France used the treaty to counterbalance Spanish dominance while avoiding overcommitment.
Broader European Conflicts
Spain as the Common Threat
The Treaty of Blois must be understood within the framework of Habsburg supremacy. Spain controlled:
The Netherlands.
Much of Italy.
Vast overseas possessions.
Both England and France feared Spanish encirclement, making their cooperation logical.
Confessional Alignments
Religion also shaped perceptions:
England was firmly Protestant after 1559.
France oscillated between Catholic and Protestant influence due to its internal wars.
This inconsistency limited Anglo-French trust, despite the treaty.
England’s Standing in Europe
The Treaty of Blois improved England’s status:
Elizabeth appeared as a peacemaker.
England was no longer diplomatically isolated.
Spain recognised the danger of an Anglo-French rapprochement, though ultimately the alliance remained cautious.
Key Features of Later Relations
From 1572 Onwards
Relations fluctuated depending on French internal politics.
Elizabeth cautiously entertained marriage negotiations with the Duke of Anjou and later the Duke of Alençon, though she never committed.
Anglo-French cooperation against Spain remained limited and conditional, with neither side wishing to give the other too much power.
Elizabeth’s Diplomacy
Elizabeth consistently pursued a policy of balance:
Avoiding permanent alliances.
Exploiting rivalries between France and Spain to England’s advantage.
Using the Treaty of Blois as a diplomatic tool rather than a binding partnership.
Long-Term Significance
The Treaty highlighted England’s flexibility in foreign policy, prioritising security over historical enmity.
It reflected the Tudor tradition of using alliances, marriage negotiations, and diplomacy to maintain independence.
Ultimately, the treaty prevented France from joining Spain against England, even if it did not produce a lasting friendship.
The Treaty of Blois (1572) represented a turning point in Tudor foreign policy by reframing Anglo-French relations within the wider conflicts of religion, dynastic rivalry, and Habsburg power. Later relations were shaped by fluctuating trust and the need to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, but the treaty remained a critical diplomatic achievement in preserving England’s security and international standing.
FAQ
It was unusual because England and France had been traditional enemies for centuries, often clashing over territory and dynastic claims.
The treaty marked a rare moment of cooperation, driven not by shared values but by a shared need to contain Spain’s growing dominance in Europe.
By explicitly rejecting Mary’s dynastic claim to the English throne, the treaty weakened her international backing.
It reduced French willingness to support her against Elizabeth and helped limit Mary’s usefulness as a tool for Catholic powers seeking to destabilise England.
No, the treaty was defensive in nature. England and France agreed to aid each other if attacked, but not to fight offensive wars together.
This allowed Elizabeth to present the alliance as cautious diplomacy rather than a call to arms, fitting her preference for limited commitments.
The massacre showed the volatility of French politics and created mistrust in Protestant England.
While the treaty survived formally, Elizabeth’s court feared that France could not be relied upon as a stable partner.
Elizabeth used the treaty as one part of a flexible approach, ensuring France would not ally with Spain.
Her strategies included:
Entertaining marriage negotiations with French princes to keep France engaged.
Supporting the Dutch Revolt cautiously to weaken Spain without full-scale war.
Maintaining enough distance to avoid entanglement in France’s religious conflicts.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
In which year was the Treaty of Blois signed, and which two countries were the main signatories?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for correct year: 1572.
1 mark for identifying both signatories: England and France.
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain two reasons why the Treaty of Blois (1572) was important for Elizabeth I’s foreign policy.
Mark Scheme:
Award up to 3 marks per explained reason.
1 mark for identifying a valid reason.
1–2 marks for developing the explanation with reference to context or consequences.
Examples of valid reasons:
Countering Spanish dominance: England and France agreed on a defensive alliance, which reduced the threat of Spanish encirclement.
Reducing dynastic threats: France’s rejection of Mary, Queen of Scots’ claim helped secure Elizabeth’s position.
Improved diplomatic standing: Elizabeth appeared as a peacemaker and avoided isolation in Europe.
Strategic flexibility: The treaty gave England room to balance between major powers without committing to war.
Maximum 6 marks: Candidates must provide two explained reasons. Partial answers (e.g., identification without explanation) receive partial marks.
