Scotland, Denmark-Norway and the House of Stuart 1603-1660 : a diplomatic and military analysis
This thesis redresses the belief that there was little or no diplomatic or political relationship between Scotland and Denmark-Norway from the start of the British reign of James VI and I in 1603 to the Restoration of Charles II in 1660. In fact the sixteenth century relationship with Scotland continued to develop into the reign of Charles II. By examining the identity of Charles I and the evolving 'British' state, Scotland and her foreign relations are placed in a clear context. Previously prominent Stuart diplomats, like Sir Robert Anstruther, Sir James Spen or Sir Andrew Sinclair have been known as English diplomats rather than Scottish or British and were presumed to be working for the benefit of England rather than Scotland or even greater 'Britain'. Although Scotland and England usually shared both a single monarch and a common <I>corps diplomatique, </I>between 1603-1660 Scottish and English foreign policy frequently differed. In addition the polices of the House of Stuart frequently clashed with the agendas of the two British parliaments and of Denmark-Norway. Despite binding alliances with Christian IV in 1618, 1621 and 1625, Charles I and the English state adopted a policy of war against France and
Murdoch, Steven W.
History
Scotland, Denmark-Norway and the House of Stuart 1603-1660 : a diplomatic and military analysis. This thesis redresses the belief that there was little or no diplomatic or political relationship between Scotland and Denmark-Norway from the start of the British reign of James VI and I in 1603 to the Restoration of Charles II in 1660. In fact the sixteenth century relationship with Scotland continued to develop into the reign of Charles II. By examining the identity of Charles I and the evolving 'British' state, Scotland and her foreign relations are placed in a clear context. Previously prominent Stuart diplomats, like Sir Robert Anstruther, Sir James Spen or Sir Andrew Sinclair have been known as English diplomats rather than Scottish or British and were presumed to be working for the benefit of England rather than Scotland or even greater 'Britain'. Although Scotland and England usually shared both a single monarch and a common <I>corps diplomatique, </I>between 1603-1660 Scottish and English foreign policy frequently differed. In addition the polices of the House of Stuart frequently clashed with the agendas of the two British parliaments and of Denmark-Norway. Despite binding alliances with Christian IV in 1618, 1621 and 1625, Charles I and the English state adopted a policy of war against France and
scotland denmark norway house stuart diplomatic military analysis redress belief little diplomatic political relationship scotland denmark norway start british reign james_vi restoration charles_ii fact relationship scotland continue develop reign charles_ii examine identity charles evolve british_state scotland foreign relation place clear context previously prominent stuart diplomat like sir sir james sir sinclair know english diplomat rather scottish british presume work benefit england rather scotland even great_britain although scotland england usually share single monarch common corps scottish_english foreign_policy frequently differ addition police house stuart frequently clash agenda british parliament denmark norway despite bind alliance christian charles english state adopt policy war_france