Consistency of Foreign Policy With Spain and Burgundy Flashcards
How did the Spanish kingdoms of Aragon and Castile become united?
The marriage of their two rulers: Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabelle of Castile in 1469 and their victory in civil war in 1479.
What allowed England and Spain to ignore their commercial rivalry?
The fact that they shared a mutual enemy: France.
Why would a marriage between Arthur and Catherine of Aragon be beneficial to Henry?
It would give him recognition from a major European power and signify that Spain thought his position on the throne was secure.
What were the terms of the Treaty of Medina del Campo?
Arthur and Catherine would marry.
Catherine’s dowry would be £40,000 (200,000 crowns).
Spain would not help English rebels.
Benefits for English trade with Spain.
If either country was at war with France, the other would intervene.
Why did it take until 1501 for Catherine to arrive in England?
Henry’s position was insecure due to Warbeck. Spain was not willing to send Catherine to England while there was still the possibility that Henry would be removed from the throne.
Why did Arthur’s marriage offer the possibility of another ally?
Catherine’s sister, Joanna, married Philip of Burgundy, bringing Spain and Burgundy closer together.
How can the importance of Arthur’s marriage be seen after his death?
Henry did not want to lose the Spanish alliance and prestige that the marriage had brought, so he suggested that Prince Henry should marry Catherine.
What was the Castilian succession crisis?
According to Isabella’s will, Joanna would inherit Castile; her husband, Philip of Burgundy, claimed it for her. Ferdinand was to return to rule Aragon but he did not want to give up Castile.
What problems did the Castilian succession crisis cause for Henry regarding the Netherlands?
He wanted to preserve trade links with the Netherlands and did not want to antagonise Philip or his father as they were sheltering the Yorkist claimant, the Earl of Suffolk. Henry feared that they would support Suffolk if he were to attack.
What problems did the Castilian succession crisis cause for Henry regarding Spain?
He was worried about losing links with Spain. If Castile came under Burgundian influence, the marriage between Prince Henry and Catherine would bring England less benefit, as Aragon was less influential than the whole of Spain.
How was England forced into a closer relationship with Burgundy due to increasing relations between France and Spain?
Ferdinand turned to Lous XII for support, prompting Philip to sail to Castile to secure Joanna’s inheritance and Henry lent Philip money to finance his expedition. When bad weather drove Philip on to the English coast, he agreed to hand over the Earl of Suffolk and that Prince Henry would marry his sister.
How Henry antagonise Ferdinand after the Castilian succession crisis?
Henry kept Catherine’s dowry despite requests to return it.
In April 1506, why did it appear that Ferdinand’s attempts to maintain rule in both Castile and Aragon had failed?
Philip and Joanna arrived in Castile and received a warm welcome, whereas French support for Ferdinand failed to materialise and he was forced to withdraw to Aragon.
What happened in September 1506 and what were the results of this event?
Philip of Burgandy died and Joanna had a breakdown. This enabled Ferdinand to retake Castile and Maximilian took over regency of Burgundy for his son, Charles. The prospect of a Spanish marriage between Henry and Catherine was now more appealing.
How did Henry try to restore links with Spain after Philip’s death and why did this not work?
He feared that France would seize the opportunity of a weak regency rule in Burgundy to try to gain land there so he attempted to restore links with Spain by proposing to Joanna. She said no. Ferdinand also refused to send the rest of Catherine’s dowry.
