Foreign Policy 1527-40 Flashcards
What was going on in England during the 1530s
Henry cannot be focused on prestige as security of England + the treat of foreign powers had to be prioritized following the Break with Rome.
His divorce and execution of Anne + the Fall of Wolsey left him loosing his close confidant and friend from his entire reign.
During the 1530s he marries his 3rd wife Jane Seymore but she dies and so he marries Anne of Cleves which causes the fall of Cromwell. After divorcing Anne it leave England more isolated than ever from catholic Europe and there’s a genuine threat from France + Spain due to catastrophic religious differences.
Why was Henrys pressure in position reduced in 1536?
Henry was fortunate the pressure on his position was reduced in 1536 for 2 reasons;
- The Death of Catharine of Aragon + the execution of Anne Boleyn
- The renewal of fighting between Emperor and Francis (France) which reduced potential danger posed against England + henrys isolated position.
But the releif was short lived - by 1538 Henrys position changed again.
Why did Henry’s relief/position change again in 1538?
- Charles + Francis buried there difference in Treaty of Nice + agreed to sever connections w England!
- Pope Paul II published a ‘Bull’ deposing Henry and thereby abolishing English Catholics from the need to obey their ruler!
- Pope sent envoys to both France + Scotland to support a catholic crusade angst England.
Why did the Break with Rome + the Protestant reformation have serious repercussions on English Foreign Policy?
- Foreign Policy was put on defensive + reactive footing as Henry responded to the actions of other more powerful countries.
- It forced Henry to seek alliances with unlikely states that were more reformist than he would have wanted ie Cleves marriage, Schmalkalden league etc.
- England faced genuine threat of a pull blown invasion from Charles + Francis by 1539.
- Henry had to use money from the dissolutions of the monasteries to pay for emergency defences in 1539.
- It also affected religious policy as people executed for their religious policies (ie John lambet or the Six Articles) could cause attacks.
What was occurring within Foreign Policy between 1527-1529?
The failure of Henry VIII to resolve his ‘Great Matter’ using diplomatic means emphasises the extent which England remained a minor power in Europe as Henry + Wolsey were forced due to their weak position to make an anti-imperial alliance with the French with the Treaty of Amiens in 1527. Wolsey aimed to pressurise Charles utilising a trade embargo within Burgundy however Charles retaliation created widespread unemployment + social issues within England which forced Wolsey + Henry to back down.
Charles strength was then further exemplified wen he won the Battle of Landriano in 1529 which resulted in his dominance over the pope which ensured Henrys attempts to solve his martial issues by diplomatic means were doomed to fail. Characteristically Henry needed to blame someone for his failures, and he blamed Wolsey resulting in his fall from power in 1529.
What did Henry VIII do in 1532 in attempt to pressurise the Emperor Charles V?
In 1532 Henry tried to shore up his position by making a fragile alliance with the French, who were equally in a weak position so that together they could place little pressure on Charles. This had limited effects + lacked usefulness for Henry as a French alliance began unravelling as Francis sought to establish a marriage allaiance between his son Henry + the Popes niece Catherine De Medici.
Thus the circumstances left Henry with no other choice but to solve his great matter by breaking with Rome. However this had little short term repercussions as Charles was preoccupied with the Ottoman turks
