England and Europe in the Sixteenth Century [Paperback]

This book provides a thematic survey of English foreign policy in the sixteenth century, focusing on the influence of the concept of honour, security concerns, religious ideology and commercial interests on the making of policy. It draws attention to aspects of continuity with the late-medieval past but argues, too, that the European Reformation brought new challenges which forced a rethinking of policy. Far from treating the sixteenth century as the period when England began its rise as a Great Power, the author emphasises the structural weaknesses of the English armed forces and demonstrates that dangers and insecurities did more to mould foreign policy than the energy and confidence of the Tudor rulers.Maps and Charts.- Introduction.- PART ONE: HONOUR AND REPUTATION.- Wars Against France 1509-50.- Peace-time Competition.- The Scottish Wars 1509-50.- A New Emphasis.- PART TWO: SECURITY AND DEFENCE.- Border Defence.- Dynastic Security.- The Counter-Reformation Threat.- PART THREE: RELIGION.- Anglo-Papal Relations.- Reformation Diplomacy 1528-40: Germany and the Baltic.- The 'Godly Cause'.- PART FOUR: COMMERCE.- Antwerp Trade.- Diversification of Trade Within Europe.- Overseas Exploration and Trade.- Bibliography.- Notes.- Index.SUSAN DORAN is a Senior Research Fellow at Jesus College, University of Oxford, UK.Comprehensive survey of the international relations between England and the rest of Europe during the turbulent sixteenth century
Includes both the author's own primary research and the latest scholarship