... two leading Catholic powers. Therefore Elizabeth had to aid the Netherlands without openly going to war with Spain. For example she employed German mercenaries led by John Casimir. This desperate attempt to stop Spain gaining full control over the Netherlands did not work but it is an example of how Elizabeth was prepared to stop Spain gaining a base to launch a serious invasion on England. Circumstances also played into English hands that allowed Spain to not got to war with England. For example Spain's bankruptcy meant that the Spanish army in the Netherlands were not being paid and eventually mutilated which gave the upper hand to the Dutch, who forced the Spanish army out for a short period. This was helped by Elizabeth's decision to capture the Spanish loan that had been intended for the Spanish troops. This lack of cash for the Spanish is also important in the long ...

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