Foreign Policy

Question 1

Aims

Answer 1

• Aragon Traditionally concerned with French ambitions on Northern Frontier.
• F directs most policy for Castile and Aragon.
• I concerned with crusade, after Granada- F aims to fulfil Aragon’s concerns.

Question 2

Iberian Peninsula

Answer 2

Portugal:

• Rivalry over claims to Canary Islands.
• Portugal give up claim in TREATY OF ALCAÇOVAS 1479.
• Canaries conquered by Castile.
• I & F daughter Isabella married Prince Alfonso (heir to Portugal), he died so she married his brother King Emmanuel.
• Isabella died 1481, so Emmanuel married her sister Maria.

Navarra:

• Strategic Importance (between France and Spain).
• F invades in 1512, Navarre becomes part of kingdom of Castile.
• Navarre allowed to remain fairly independent.

Question 3

France

Answer 3

• In past policy, Castile: Allies, Aragon: Opposition (France)
• France focused on invading Italy.
• French give up Cerdagne and Roussillon in TREATY OF BARCELONA 1493.

Question 4

Italy:

Fight for Naples

Answer 4

French invasion of Naples in 1494 renewed Spanish/French conflict.
-Both wanted Naples, current ruler F illegitimate cousin - Ferrante.

• French occupy Naples in 1495.
  1495: Spain joins Holy League (Anti French) with HRE Maximilian, Papal States and Other Italian States.
• French king overextends himself on march South, Retreats.

Spanish army commanded by Gonzalo De Córdoba. New weaponry e.g. pikemen, and new formations - later known as Tercio formation.

1503: Gonzalo 2 victories against French.
1504: France recognise Spanish control over Naples, it becomes part of Kingdom of Aragon.

Question 5

Mediterranean

Answer 5

-Aragonese policies, F concerned about Turks expanding.

1479-80: Spain assisted Knights Hospitallers when Rhodes besieged by Turks.

1481: Spain helps Naples against Turkish Invasion.
1501: Córdoba’s force helps Venice regain Castle of St. George.

Question 6

North Africa

Answer 6

• Interest in Gold, Ivory and Slaves.
• Isabella sent Privateering Ships to intercept Portuguese on their way home and steal the goods.
  1479: I forced to accept Portugal’s monopoly in fishing and trade on Western Coast.

1490’s: Crusades on Northern Coast, Spain took various cities e.g. Bougie and Tripoli.

Question 7

Methods used

Answer 7

Military Organisation:

• New Artillery, Gunpowder Weaponry.
• Employed specialists from France and Germany to bring new weapons.
• Pikes and Missile weapons used in Formations.

Marriage Alliances:

• Daughter Isabella and King of Portugal.
• 1496: Son of HRE marries F daughter Joanna.
• F heir John marries Margaret (Daughter of HRE).
• TREATY OF MEDINA DEL CAMPO: Catherine of Aragon marries Arthur and then HVII other son Henry.
• F’s 2nd marriage to Germaine of Foix (LXII niece)

Ambassadors:
1st European monarchs to use them, apart from Ppapal States.
-1490’s, Spain has resident Ambassadors in: England, Papal States, Germany, Burgundy & Venice.
-Gives Spain insider information