5.4 Henry VIII early foreign policy Flashcards
What were Henry’s aims of foreign policy?
- Military glory/ conquer France
- Secure succession/ have a son
What were Wolsey’s foriegn policy aims?
- Deliver Henry’s wishes
- Maintain peace in Europe
- Hold balance of power in Europe (arbiter of Europe)
- Personal prestige/ get promoted within church
Who were Henry’s major rivals at this point
Francis I of France
(Henry wanted France)
What did Henry do for foreign policy in 1509?
Henry comes to the throne and marries catherine of Aragon
What happened in 1510?
The peace treaty with France was renewed
What happened in 1511?
The holy league was created and England join
What was the Holy league?
Where England, Spain and HRE joined together against the French, and aimed to stop them advancing into Italy
What happened in 1512?
The first french war (known as the war of the league of Cambrai or the war of the holy league)
What happened in 1513?
- The battle of Spurs (called that as the French ran away on their horses). Henry beseiged Therouanne and captured Tournai
- Battle of Flodden
What was the battle of Flodden?
- Happened whilst Henry was away in France
- Scotland invaded England under the Auld alliance
- Earl of Surrey led the English army
- over 10,000 scots killed including James IV and 33 nobels
- Henry’s sister margaret now acted as regent for infant son James V
- Removed scottish threat for many years
How did Henry view the battle of Spurs?
As a great success as he was able to take a part of France (even though they were poor towns with not much to offer)
What were the events of Henry’s first french war?
1512: Henry aimed to take Aquitaine (SW France prev. ruled by England) with help from Spain. Army sent to N. Spain for campaign but Ferdinand used this as a distraction so he could seize lands from France.
1513: Henry invaded area around Calais.Wolsey organised expedition (despite opposition from other ministers), raised money and supplied army. Henry led campaign, but french avoided battle so little and slow progress was made. Henry took Therouanne (which he gave to Maximilian who burned it down), then besieged Tournai in battle of Spurs- used for propaganda, supported by capture of French nobles.
Campaign exhausted English finances and Ferdinand and Maximilian made separate peace with louis XII so Henry unable to invade France, and forced into peace policy.
What were the terms of the peace policy between Henry and Louis XII?
- France to pay arrears of French pension (negotiated by Henry VII), 1 million crowns
- Henry keeps conquests
- Mary I (Henry’s sister) to marry Louis XII
How much did Henry spend on the first French war?
£960,000 compared to his £110,000 annual income
When and why did the first french war end?
1514, Henry ran out of money and couldn’t afford to keep fighting. Also forced into peace policy due to ferdinand and maximilian making peace with Louis XII
What happened in 1514?
- First french war ends
- Spain and the HRE make separate peace with France
- 1514 Franco- English treaty