Aims of Foreign Policy under Henry VII

Question 1

What were his foreign policy aims?

Answer 1

1/National Security
2/Securing the Tudor Dynasty
3/Avoiding War
4/Improving Trade
5/Gaining Allies

Question 2

France: Why was the relationship so strained?

Answer 2

Brittany only part of historic France that had independence. Anne of Beaujeau acting on behalf of minor brother proposed marriage of brother, Charles VIII, to daughter of Duke of Brittany. She was already arranged to marry Maxmillian.
Henry had to defend Brittany.

Question 3

France: How did it escalate?

Answer 3

French sent a force in 1488. Both Maxmillian and Ferdinand of Aragon sent troops to support Brittany.
Brittany asked England for help.

Question 4

France: Why did Henry owe his support?

Answer 4

For the shelter received from 171-1484. Also did not want channel coast to all be under French control.

Question 5

France: What happened to the marriage proposals?

Answer 5

Henry attempted negotiation between Brittany and France but Bretons refused.
Brittany then defeated - Duke of Brittany died and his daughter Anne was seized by French.

Question 6

France: What did Henry sign in 1489?

Answer 6

The Treaty of Redon - Promised to assist Brittany in defying France. Sent 6,000 troops paid for by Brittany.
Had to make clear it was defence and not assertion to French throne.

Question 7

France: Who else made peace with France after 1489?

Answer 7

1/ Maxmillian in July 1489
2/ Spain, despite the Treaty of Medina del Campo.

Question 8

France: Did France and Brittany make peace?

Answer 8

Yes - December 1491, Anne of Brittany married Charles VIII.
Left Henry in difficult position - had failed in protecting Brittany and whole of Channel Coast under control of France.

Question 9

France: When did Henry assert his claim to the throne and what did he initially do?

Answer 9

October 1492 - Sent force of 26,000 soldiers to besiege Boulogne.

Question 10

France: What did Henry purposely do?

Answer 10

Launched late in campaign season to show he’s open to negotiation and demonstrated strength of English army.

Question 11

France: What was signed nine days after the invasion on November 3rd, 1492?

Answer 11

Treaty of Etaples:
1/ France retain control of Brittany
2/ France give no more aid to English rebels
3/ France pay arrears of Treaty of Picquigny
4/ France pay most costs of Henry’s intervention in Brittany (745,000 golden crowns - 5% of annual income)

Question 12

League of Venice: What was it?

Answer 12

Established in 1945 - aim to drive France out of Italy. Henry was excluded.

Question 13

League of Venice: What was it revamped as?

Answer 13

The Holy League in 1496. England invited as Ferdinand fearful exclusion would lead to Frances support. (Position in England changing).
Henry able to secure trade agreement in 1496 with France and kept relationship with League.

Question 14

What did Henry attempt to develop later in his reign in regards to France?

Answer 14

A three-way anti-Ferdinand alliance with England, France and the Netherlands.

Question 15

What happened to the anti-Ferdinand alliance?

Answer 15

By 1508 created League of Cambria however Louis XII decided not to join as didn’t want to anger Ferdinand - had just reached alliance over Italy.
The next League established was anti-Venice.

Question 16

Burgundy: What was England’s relationship with Burgundy like before?

Answer 16

Under Yorkist Kings good relationship
1/ Was naturally anti-French as had achieved independence.
2/ England’s major exports, wool and woollen cloth go through Burgundian markets.

Question 17

Burgundy: Who was Maxmillian?

Answer 17

Married Mary of Burgundy - inherited lands in Burgundy. In 1493 became HRE - most powerful in Europe.

Question 18

Burgundy: What did Maxmillian teach Henry?

Answer 18

1489 - Both signed Treaty of Dordrecht. Maxmillian agreed to send troops to Brittany and Henry sent 3,000 to Maxmillian who was being besieged by French and Flemish troops.
Maxmillian did not send troops. Concentrated on Hungary + made peace with France.

Question 19

Burgundy: What worsened connections?

Answer 19

1/Margaret supported Lambert Simnel and welcomed Warbeck into her court in 1492.
2/ 1493 - Henry imposed Trade Embargo. Lasted until 1496 until Maxmillian forced Margaret to back down so he could get English support against France.

Question 20

Burgundy: What was implemented to lift the trade embargo?

Answer 20

Intercursus Magnus in 1946 -
1/ English Merchants allowed to sell wholesale anywhere in Burgundian lands bar Flanders without tolls or customs.
Philip still harboured Yorkists however and later Philip tried to impose new duties and confine English merchants to Flanders.

Question 21

Burgundy: What was Henry forced to choose after the death of Isabella of Castile in 1504?

Answer 21

Whether to back Philip or Ferdinand.
Chose Philip because:
1/ To protect trade with Burgundy
2/ Opportunity for advantageous marriage for Prince Henry to Philip’s daughter Eleanor.
3/ To gain custody of Edmund de la Pole

Question 22

Burgundy: How did Henry secure profitable treaty of Windsor?

Answer 22

Philip and Joanna sought shelter in England during storm - lavishly entertained them.

Question 23

Burgundy: What were the terms of the Treaty of Windsor?

Answer 23

1/More advantageous trading terms
2/ Suffolk handed over if Henry guaranteed his life
3/ Recognition of Philip and Joanna as rulers of Castile
4/ Henry marry Philip’s sister, Margaret of Savoy

Question 24

Burgundy: What went wrong with Castile succession?

Answer 24

Philip and Joanna initially successful however Philip died later that year and Joanna went insane. Ferdinand resumed control.
Treaty of Windsor abandoned and was isolated - did have Suffolk in custody.

Question 25

Burgundy: What followed the failed succession?

Answer 25

Henry safeguarded good connection with Burgundy - discussions of marriage between Princess Mary and Maxmillian’s grandson.
Not entirely secure - 1508 - Treaty of Cambrai with France and Spain against Venice. Could have moved to an anti-Henry alliance.

Question 26

Spain: What was the Treaty of Medina Del Campo in 1489?

Answer 26

Provided international recognition
1/ Mutual agreement that would defend each country from enemies and neither would make alliance with France without others agreement.
2/ No harbouring rebels
3/ Princess Catherine of Aragon to marry Prince Arthur

Question 27

Spain: What fluctuations were there in the relationship?

Answer 27

1/ Ferdinand focused on Moors in Granada and did not provide assistance in Brittany.
2/ Warbeck threatened marriage as Catherine would not marry politically unstable family.
3/ Endless arguments over size and payment of Catherine’s dowry.

Question 28

Spain: What happened to the marriage?

Answer 28

Marriage treaty in 1499 and were married in 1501. Arthur died in 1502 and Henry proposed marriage to Henry - Ferdinand refused until 1503 when Franco-Spanish relationships deteriorated.

Question 29

Spain: Why did relationships founder after 1504?

Answer 29

During Castilian succession Henry tried to retract betrothal - claimed papal dispensation did not count as Henry under 12 - as Ferdinand not as powerful as he was.
Ferdinand signed Treaty of Blois with France in 1505 and married Louis XII’s niece.
After Philip died in 1506 no longer needed English support.

Question 30

Scotland: What was the relationship like at the beginning?

Answer 30

Positive - James IV was a minor and pro-English Earl of Angus was regent.
In 1493 a nine year truce was signed.

Question 31

Scotland: When did the relationship start to deteriorate?

Answer 31

1495 - James came of age and welcomed Warbeck and married him to his cousin, Catherine Gordon.
1497 - Provided 1,500 troops to assist Warbeck.

Question 32

Scotland: When did the relationship improve?

Answer 32

1494 - Signed Truce of Ayton - the first peace treaty since 1328.
James agreed to marry Margaret - happened in 1503.
Scotland did not abandon the Auld Alliance.

Question 33

Ireland: Why was the relationship important?

Answer 33

Provided springboard for invasion but traditionally a Yorkist stronghold.

Question 34

Ireland: Who did Henry appoint in 1486 as Lord Lieutenant?

Answer 34

Highly trusted Jasper Tudor whilst the East was controlled by Gerald Fitzgerald.

Question 35

Ireland: What was Ponying’s law?

Answer 35

Sir Edward Ponying became Lord Deputy in 1494 and Prince Henry was Lord Lieutenant.
Imposed multitude of laws including the inability to call parliament or pass legislation without English approval.

Question 36

Ireland: What happened to Kildare?

Answer 36

His brother attempted rebellion so Kildare’s land was attained. Was reversed in 1496 and he was reinstated as Lord Deputy.
Henry kept his son at court in England to ensure loyalty.