Foreign Policy 1514-26 Flashcards
Who succeeded Louis XII and what did Henry think of him?
Francis I
- Henry saw him as a personal and political rival
What was Henry’s immediate response to the succession of Francis I?
Sought an alliance with Ferdinand of Aragon
- however he died in 1516 and was succeeded by Charles V who sought an alliance with the French
How did England become isolated in 1517?
Charles and the Emperor Maximilian agreed to the Treaty of Cambrai with France in 1517
What was the danger of isolation?
It gave Francis I the opportunity to undermine Anglo-Scottish relations
- the Duke of Albany (heir presumptive to Scottish throne) was a member of the French nobility. He consolidated his position by becoming regent to the throne. This worried Wolsey/Henry who saw Albany simply as a French agent.
- However, any threat from Albany was minimised because of the poisonous divisions among the Scottish nobility
Why was the ‘auld alliance’ between France and Scotland such a danger?
When England and France were on good terms, There were few issues with Scotland. On the other hand, clashes between England and France would lead to increased tension between England and Scotland
How did Wolsey end the isolation?
Treaty of London 1518
Why did the Pope need the Treaty of London?
Pope Leo X desired a United Christian front against the Ottoman Turks
Who was part of the Treaty of London?
Initially just England and France. But became a ‘treaty of perpetual peace’ between 20 nations (including: England, France, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire)
Was the Treaty of London a success?
- future conflicts would suggest that it was meaningless
- however, it was a diplomatic coup for Wolsey and the Pope appointed him as papal legate over England
Straight after the Treaty of London, how were relations with France?
Good
- England agreed to return Tournai (but for less than it had cost to defend)
- France agreed to pay a pension
- France agreed to keep Albany out of Scotland
Why did France really want to improve relations straight after the Treaty of London?
Concerned about the increased power which Spain could exert with the election of the Spanish King to Holy Roman Emperor (Charles V)
- suggests it was this fear, and not Wolsey’s diplomatic brilliance that encouraged France’s change of attitude
What was the Field of The Cloth of Gold and how much did it cost?
Meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I in 1520
- cost Henry £15,000
- in diplomatic terms, nothing was achieved as in reality they were just trying to out-do each other
What were the two main consequences of Henry having run out of money by 1514?
- Unable to exploit the weakness of Scotland following the death of James IV at the Battle of Flodden
- Had to make peace with France - marriage alliance between Mary and Louis XII. Marriage was short lived and Mary remarried Duke of Suffolk.
What did Wolsey negotiate in 1521?
The Treaty of Bruges with Charles
Why did Henry want to side with Charles in 1521?
- Treaty of Bruges
- he could improve relations with the Pope, who was anxious to reduce French control over northern Italy
- gain territory in France
- marriage alliance between the Emperor and Mary
1522-23?
English armies invaded France
- gained little but were expensive, Parliament reluctant to grant extraordinary revenue
How did Henry show a lack of strategic awareness in 1525?
By the crass way in which he tried to benefit from the Emperor’s victory at the Battle of Pavia
- suggested to Charles that they launch a joint attack in France but Charles refused
- Amicable Grant shows lack of public support
Consequences of Henry suggesting a joint attack on France with Charles in 1525?
- Henry, his ego bruised, was obliged to back down
- His resentment towards the emperor was reinforced when Charles cancelled marriage alliance with Mary
- Wolsey’s domestic prestige never really recovered after Amicable Grant
Why did Henry and Wolsey go back to a pro-French policy after 1525?
Fallen out with Charles V after he refused to launch a joint attack on Franc with Henry
After 1525, how did Henry show support to France?
Supported the League of Cognac, which had been put together by the Pope to counterbalance the excessive power of Charles in northern Italy
- this was NOT a good time to be on bad terms with the emperor (King’s Great Matter)
