How did Elizabeth I manage to avoid invasion by the Catholic Philip II of Spain? According to Professor Jerry Brotton of Queen Mary’s, London, “Elizabeth’s Islamic policy held off a Catholic invasion”. Prof Brotton made this claim in a recent article for the New York Times. Like his new book, it places him in a recent scholarly movement which – quite understandably – aims to depart from Eurocentric historical narratives. But unfortunately, the claim about “Elizabeth’s Islamic policy” is not merely simplistic but manifestly erroneous. The historical facts just don’t support it.
3:43 PM
Elizabeth I’s Muslim ties ‘held off a Catholic invasion’, says a New York Times piece. It’s a myth
Sixteenth-century England did have links with the Ottoman Empire. But let's not overstate their importance
Francois Soyer
5 min read
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