Pamela E. Ritchie PHD Thesis

DYNASTICISM AND DIPLOMACY : THE POLITICAL CAREER OF MARIE DE GUISE IN SCOTLAND, 1548-1560 Pamela E. Ritchie A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 1999 Full metadata for this item is available in St Andrews Research Repository at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/11072 This item is protected by original copyright Dynasticism and Diplomacy: The Political Career of Marie de Guise in Scotland, 1548-1560. Pamela E. Ritchie A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of St. Andrews September 1999 Declarations i) I, Pamela Ritchie, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 100,000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. date ( b I '1 I ~ 9 signature of candidate ii) I was admitted as a research student in October 1994 and as a candidate for the degree of PhD in October 1995; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University ofSt. Andrews between 1994 and 1999. date I b l't ! 9 9 signature of vcUlUIUilLCI iii) I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of PhD in the University of St. Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree. date signature of supervisor 16·~ '< - '10;;: iv) In submitting this thesis to the University of St. Andrews I understand that I am giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University of Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. I also understand that the title and abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bona fide library or research worker. date /6 / 1 I? 1 ABSTRACT This thesis examines the political career of Marie de Guise in Scotland during the period 1548-1560. Challenging the conventional interpretation of Guise as the defender of Catholicism whose regime climaxed with the Reformation Rebellion, this study shows that she was, on the contraty, a shrewd and effective politique, whose own dynastic interests and those of her daughter took precedence over her personal and religious convictions. Dynasticism, not Catholicism, was the prime motivational force behind her policy and it is from this perspective that her regime is considered. The eight chapters of the thesis focus on two main themes. Firstly, that Marie de Guise's dynasticism, and political career as a whole, were inextricably associated with those of Mary, Queen of Scots, whose Scottish sovereignty, Catholic claim to the English throne and betrothal to the Dauphin of France carried with it notions of Franco British Imperialism. And secondly, that Marie de Guise's policy in Scotland was dictated by European dynastic politics and, specifically, by the Franco-Scottish alliance of 1548-1560. Significantly more than a betrothal contract, the treaty of Haddington established a 'protectoral' relationship between the 'auld allies' whereby Henri II was able to assume control over Scottish militaty affairs, diplomacy and foreign policy as the 'protector' of Scotland. Guise's assumption of the regency in 1554 completed the process of establishing French power in Scotland, which was later consolidated, albeit briefly, by the marriage of Mary Stewart to Franyois Valois in 1558. The overall success of Guise's dynastic and domestic policies, however, was limited. International considerations undermined her policies and weakened her administration. Yet the collapse of her regime came not with the outbreak of the Reformation Rebellion or her alleged defeat at the hands of the Congregation. Only with her death, did Marie de Guise's regime and French power in Scotland truly collapse. CONTENTS Acknowledgements I List of Abbreviations 11 Introduction IV 1 Mary Stewart and the Treaty of Haddington: the Foundations of a Franco-British Empire 1 2 Henri II's Protectorate of Scotland and the Establishment of French Power (1550-1552) 36 3 The Final Building Block: Marie de Guise's Ascent to Power in 80 Scotland 4 Mary Tudor and the Anglo-Imperial Threat: Anglo-Scottish 127 Relations (1553-1556) 5 Marie de Guise's Administration and Policy in Scotland 166 6 The Borders, Highlands and Western Isles 198 7 War and Marriage 230 8 The Reformation Rebellion: the Collapse of Marie de Guise Regime in Scotland? 284 Conclusion 335 Appendix 362 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis would not have been possible without the financial support of the School of History and International Relations and the Department of Scottish History, or the assistance given to me by the staff of the Scottish Record Office, National Library of Scotland, Archives de Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres and Special Collections Department at the University Library, St. Andrews. Recognition must also be given to the many individuals who assisted me in numerous capacities throughout my postgraduate career. In particular, I would like to thank Dr. Nonnan Macdougall, Dr. Hamish Scott, Professor Keith Brown, Professor John Guy, Marjory Bruce and, especially, Dr. Helen MacDonald and Dr. Jane Dawson for their invaluable help and endless stream of encouragement and support. The same is also true of my colleagues in the University Library. The patience and flexibility of the 'triumvirate' in Special Collections (also known as Christine Gascoigne, Dr. Nonnan Reid and CilIa Jackson) added considerable ease to a long and, at times, arduous journey, while the friendship of my fellow postgraduates made it all the more pleasurable. In this, special mention must be made to Roland Tanner, Michael Penman, Linda Dunbar, Triona Logan, Ben Sanders, Augustine Kelly, Stuart Foster, Philip Conner, Natalie Mears, Alan Bryson and Margaret Beckett. But my deepest and most heartfelt thanks must go to my supervisor, Dr. Roger Mason. His patience, understanding, honesty and wry sense of humour made this whole experience worthwhile, not least to say bearable. As a scholar, he was an immeasurable source of inspiration and, without him, the thesis would be all the poorer. But it is to my family that lowe the greatest debt of gratitude. First thanks must go to Elizabeth and Graeme Ritchie for their generosity, hospitality and tolerance. Words cannot express how truly appreciative I am for all they have done. I am similarly indebted to Ronald and Robert Mitchell and, especially, to my sisters, Fiona and Alison, for their much needed support and encouragement across the miles. Above all, though, I would like to thank my parents, Robert and Doreen. They have been a constant source of inspiration and a font of much needed love and moral and financial support - and it is to them, that I dedicate this thesis. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Apart from those listed below, all abbreviations and contractions in the text have been taken from 'List of Abbreviated Titles of the Printed Sources of Scottish History to 1560', Scottish Historical Review, supplement (October 1963), pp.vi-xxix. Adv.MSS Advocates' Manuscripts AE Archives de Ministere des Affairs Etrangeres, Paris. APC Acts of the Privy Council ofEngland, ed. J.R. Dasent et aI, New Series, 46 vols. (London, 1890-1964). BL British Library, London. Ch. Charter Cor. Pol. Correspondence Politique CSP Foreign Calendar of State Papers, Foreign Series, eds. W.B. Tumball and l Stevenson et al (London, 1861- 1950. CSP Ireland Calendar ofState Papers relating to Ireland of the reigns ofHenry IIL Edward VL Mary, and Elizabeth, 1509-1573, ed. H. C. Hamilton (London, 1860). CSP Rome Calendar of State Papers, relating to English Affairs preserved principally at Rome in the Vatican Archives and Library, ed. lM. Rigg (London, 1916). CSP Spain Calendar ofLetters, Despatches and State Papers, relating to the negotiations between England Spain, ed. lM. Thomson et al (London, 1862- 1954). ii CSP Venice Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts, relating to English affairs, existing in the Archives and Collections of Venice, ed. R. Brown et al (London, 1867-97). DNB Dictionary o/National Biography, ed. L. Stephen et al (London, 1885-1903). E Exchequer HER English Historical Review fo(s). folio(s) GD Gift and Deposit LPL Lambeth Palace Library, London. L & P ofHenry VIII Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the reign ofHenry VIII, ed. lS. Brewer et al (London, 1862-1932). MS(S) Manuscript(s) NLS National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh. Papal Negotiations Papal Negotiations with Mary Queen of Scots during her reign in Scotland, 1561-1567, ed. lH. Pollen (Scottish History Society, Edinburgh, 1901). PRO Public Record Office, London. SP State Papers SRO Scottish Record Office, Edinburgh. Statutes ofthe Realm The Statutes ofthe Realm, ed. A. Luders et al (London, 1810-28). iii INTRODUCTION On 21 October 1559, the Reformation Rebellion ceased to be a Protestant revolt against Catholicism that was exclusively concerned, at least publicly, with the establishment of the reformed kirk in Scotland. The Lords of the Congregation's 'Act of Suspension' added a nationalist dimension to the rebellion that was now directed specifically against the Queen Regent, Marie de Guise, and the establishment of French power in Scotland. I In their act deposing Marie de Guise from the regency, the Congregation charged the Queen Regent with the 'interprysed destructioun of thair said commoun-weall, and overthrow of the libertie of thair native cuntree'. 2 She had revealed her true intentions by such acts as building and fortifying strongholds, appointing Frenchmen to key offices of state and, most obviously, by bringing in French troops in August and September 1559.

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