The Treaty of Edinburgh

Context and Background

The Treaty of Edinburgh, signed on July 6, 1560, marked a significant turning point in both Scottish and English history, though not on the date initially provided. It came about after a period of intense hostilities and religious upheaval in Scotland, influenced by broader European dynamics involving England, Scotland, and France. By the mid-16th century, Scotland was engaged in internal conflicts fueled by the Protestant Reformation, which had started sweeping through Europe. Catholic France, under the influence of Mary of Guise, serving as regent for her daughter Mary, Queen of Scots, sought to maintain Catholic control in Scotland, while many Scots increasingly supported Protestant reform.

The Siege of Leith

The immediate precursor to the treaty was the Siege of Leith, which began in 1559 when Scottish Protestant nobles, known as the Lords of the Congregation, rose against the Catholic regency supported by the French. The siege saw the Scottish Protestants backed by English forces under Queen Elizabeth I, who sought to diminish French influence in Scotland. After months of conflict and negotiations amid deteriorating conditions for the French and their Scottish allies, an agreement was reached.

Provisions of the Treaty

The Treaty of Edinburgh had several crucial provisions which impacted the future trajectory of Scotland and its religion:

1. Withdrawal of French Troops: The treaty required the removal of all French military presence from Scottish soil, effectively ending French influence in Scotland’s political affairs.

2. Recognition of Elizabeth I: The treaty recognized Elizabeth I as the legitimate ruler of England, which was crucial for peaceful Anglo-Scottish relations in the face of claims by the French-backed Mary, Queen of Scots.

3. Commitment to the Protestant Cause: Although Mary, Queen of Scots, remained a Roman Catholic, the agreement allowed Scottish Parliament to sanction Protestant reform measures, paving the way for the marginalization of the Catholic Church and solidifying Protestantism’s establishment in Scotland.

Aftermath and Significance

The Treaty of Edinburgh significantly reshaped the political landscape of the British Isles. It curtailed French dominance in Scotland, aligned Scotland more closely with Protestant England, and created conditions favorable to the Protestant Reformation. It also set the stage for ongoing religious and political tensions, as Mary, Queen of Scots, continued to claim the English throne and remained a focal point of Catholic aspirations in the region.

Though Mary, Queen of Scots, never ratified the treaty, its influence persisted, shaping Scotland’s religious orientation and its political alliances for years to come. The treaty is often cited as a pivotal moment in the decline of Catholic power in Scotland and the solidification of a Protestant nation closely allied with England.