The Treaty of Berwick, which would expel the French from Scotland, is signed by England and the Lords of the Congregation of Scotland.

The Treaty of Berwick: A Pivotal Anglo-Scottish Alliance (1560)

In the tumultuous landscape of 16th-century Anglo-Scottish relations, a critical agreement known as the Treaty of Berwick was forged on February 27, 1560. Negotiated in the historic border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, this pact represented a significant moment when England formally intervened in Scottish affairs, driven by both political pragmatism and religious alignment. It was a strategic alliance between England and the burgeoning Protestant movement in Scotland, directly challenging French influence in the region.

Unpacking the Historical Backdrop: Scotland's Reformation and French Influence

To truly understand the Treaty of Berwick, one must grasp the volatile situation in Scotland during the late 1550s. The country was experiencing a profound shift, commonly referred to as the Scottish Reformation. A growing number of Scottish nobles, fervent Protestants known as the Lords of the Congregation, sought to dismantle the authority of the Catholic Church and establish a Protestant national church. This religious upheaval was inextricably linked to political power, as Scotland was then under the regency of Mary of Guise, the formidable French mother of the young Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary of Guise, backed by a strong contingent of French troops and deeply committed to Catholic interests, effectively used Scotland as a strategic outpost against England, a move that deeply concerned the English Crown. This ongoing tension between Scottish reformers, French interests, and English security created a ripe environment for conflict and alliance-building.

The Architects of the Agreement: Elizabeth I and the Lords

On the English side, the agreement was deftly negotiated by Thomas Howard, the Fourth Duke of Norfolk, acting as the trusted representative of the young Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth, who had ascended to the throne only a year prior, was keenly aware of the threat posed by French power so close to her northern border. A Catholic-controlled Scotland, potentially a staging ground for a French invasion aimed at placing Mary, Queen of Scots (a Catholic claimant to the English throne), on the English throne, was an unacceptable strategic vulnerability. Therefore, supporting the Protestant Lords of the Congregation was a calculated move to secure England's interests and reinforce Protestantism in the region.

The Scottish signatories were the aforementioned Lords of the Congregation, a powerful group of Protestant magnates who had grown increasingly influential and defiant against the regency. Led by figures like the Earl of Argyll and Lord James Stewart, their primary aims were dual-pronged: to expel the entrenched French troops who were seen as foreign occupiers and to accelerate the ongoing Scottish Reformation. Their efforts had already led to widespread rioting and armed conflict across Scotland, a clear signal of the deep-seated grievances against both French presence and Catholic dominance. They urgently needed external support to achieve their goals.

The Treaty's Core Purpose: English Intervention and Mutual Aims

The essence of the Treaty of Berwick was straightforward yet impactful: it laid down the precise terms under which an English fleet and army would enter Scotland. This formidable English military assistance was explicitly aimed at assisting the Lords of the Congregation in their endeavor to expel the French troops who were defending the Regency of Mary of Guise. In return, the Lords pledged their loyalty and cooperation to Elizabeth I, effectively forming an alliance against a common enemy. This intervention was not merely a military maneuver; it was a powerful statement against French hegemony and a significant step towards securing a Protestant succession in Scotland, thereby stabilizing England's northern frontier. The treaty directly fueled the Siege of Leith later that year, where combined English and Scottish forces successfully besieged the French stronghold, ultimately leading to the French withdrawal from Scotland and marking a turning point in both Scottish and Anglo-Scottish history.

FAQs About the Treaty of Berwick

What was the Treaty of Berwick?
The Treaty of Berwick was a formal agreement signed in 1560 between Queen Elizabeth I of England, represented by the Duke of Norfolk, and the Protestant Scottish nobles known as the Lords of the Congregation.
When and where was it negotiated?
It was negotiated on February 27, 1560, in the strategic border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
What was its primary purpose?
Its main goal was to secure English military assistance (an army and fleet) for the Scottish Lords of the Congregation to expel the French troops who were defending the Catholic Regency of Mary of Guise in Scotland.
Who were the key parties involved?
The key parties were Queen Elizabeth I (represented by the Duke of Norfolk) and the influential Scottish Lords of the Congregation.
Why was it significant for Scotland?
The treaty was crucial as it facilitated the removal of French influence from Scotland and significantly advanced the Scottish Reformation, paving the way for Protestantism to become the dominant religion and altering Scotland's political alignment towards England.
Why was it important for England?
For England, led by Elizabeth I, the treaty was a strategic masterstroke. It countered French power on England's northern border, removed a Catholic threat, and helped stabilize the region, thus securing England's own Protestant future and reducing the risk of a French-backed invasion.