Elizabethan-age Triple Entente

Could England and France have set aside their differences in the late 16th century, allying with the Ottoman Empire against the Habsburg menace?
 
Why would England ally with France against the Hapsburg Menace?
What do they have against the Austrians?

The only thing that can possibly bring Britain and France into the same team is a force that both threatens French superiority on the land, and British superiority at sea - The Second Reich.
 
The only thing that can possibly bring Britain and France into the same team is a force that both threatens French superiority on the land, and British superiority at sea - The Second Reich.

Well, if the Spanish used their New World riches to completely rebuild their navy after 1588, then they can again threaten Britain and they already have bases in the Netherelands, even if the provinces are in revolt. Instant threat to the English at sea and the French on land.

Henry VIII did ally at times with France, though he usually went back on his word, so it's not out of the question that England choses to side with France in a war againt the Hapsburgs. Also, under the Stuarts, England-Scotland and France got on very well.

The big objection, IMHO, is to the use of the term "Entente" which in OTL 1890s saw the English and French resolve all of their difference and become friendly toward one another. I'd say such a term is anachronistic in the 16th century.
 
Well, if the Spanish used their New World riches to completely rebuild their navy after 1588, then they can again threaten Britain and they already have bases in the Netherelands, even if the provinces are in revolt. Instant threat to the English at sea and the French on land.

They did rebuild their fleet, in fact the spanish fleet adopted much of the improvements of the English fleet. The convoy system was improved and the attacks on the spanish americas failed.

Before the peace was signed in 1604 (accepting most of the spanish claims) some landings were made in the british isles.
 
Huguenot France?

Other likely allies are the Netherlands and Sweden.

With a Huguenot France, if it can truly defeat the Catholic League, i think a larger United Provinces is in the cards; the Winter King may hang on in Bohemia, and Denmark and/or Sweden may expand further in Germany. Politically, this is a VERY strong timeline for Protestantism. Catholic governments are limited to Iberia, Italy, parts of South Germany, and Poland-Lithuania; plus, eventually, Hungary.
 

Thande

Donor
:D

I so read that as 'Elizabethan-age Tripe Entendre'.

I'm sure Shakespeare could manage that...

Anyway, alliances in that age tended to be a bit shifting and temporary, dependent on royal marriages, incidents of piracy and local politics, etc. I don't think it's a good time for a firm allied entente-type organisation, the Holy League notwithstanding.
 
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