FROM FOES TO FRIENDS 
THE ROLE OF THE ENGLISH PRESS IN PROMOTING CORDIAL ANGLO-FRENCH RELATIONS 
1649-1660 
Picture
Cardinal Mazarin (1602-1661). Oil by Philippe de Champaigne
The historiography of Anglo-French relations during the 1650s has focused primarily on the relationship between Cardinal Mazarin and Oliver Cromwell. The relationship between England and France is often seen by historians as one that begins with immense hostility due to the execution of Charles I and France’s willingness to offer the exiled Stuarts a home but by the end of the decade an Anglo-French alliance was formed which led to mutual military co-operation between the two nations and the ousting of the exiled Stuarts from France. Although this volte-face by the Cromwellians towards France has been widely acknowledged what has been less studied is how the English press constructed, promoted and disseminated anti-French sentiment to the populace in the earlier part of the decade only to make a dramatic U-turn in its attitude towards France during the long and protracted treaty negotiations which led to the English press praising French military success in Europe. 
This paper will investigate this process and will highlight that even when Anglo-French relations were at their lowest point the treatment of French Catholics by the state sponsored press was muted compared to the treatment of other Catholic countries. The state sponsored Cromwellian press played a key role in softening English public opinion towards the French.  It will explore the process and evolution of French-related news in the English press by highlighting the transition from foe to friend and will highlight the public face of the diplomatic process whereby the English press begin to see the French as close allies.  It will conclude by arguing that despite the significant differences between Cromwell and Mazarin they managed to create a joint military alliance that was beneficial for both countries. The benefit of this Anglo-French alliance was felt long after the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 as Charles II was determined to pursue a closer alliance between France and England which resulted in the Secret Treaty of Dover in 1670. 
​Dr Kirsteen MacKenzie is a historian who specialises in early modern British and Irish history focusing on the Wars of the Three Kingdoms 1637-1660 and the Jacobites.  Dr MacKenzie also has interests in early modern France particularly Franco-British diplomatic relations under Mazarin and Louis XIV. Dr MacKenzie is a life member of the Franco-British society.  You can follow Dr MacKenzie on Twitter @kirsteenmm