foreign policy essay

Question 1

how successful was henry’s VIII foreign policy in 1509-1529 thesis
(check over overall plan as probs should assess against aims + keep the idea of short term gains + only Wolsey success throughout

Answer 1

• foreign policy is dependent upon the contrasting aims of Wolsey’s maintenance of peace and henry’s desire to assert himself as the ‘most godliest prince ever reigned’ by gaining the French throne. Ultimately, Henry’s foreign policy can be viewed as successful by Wolsey’s terms, but these successes were short-lived and ultimately the failure to meet Henry’s most prominent aim of regaining french thrown would suggest that foreign policy was not successful in the long term and when considered against henry’s agenda. Success was surface level, Wolsey’s diplomatic success may and maintenance of peace was on compromised foundations.
• However flexible response to ever changing European context = relative success

Question 2

only successful in short term

Answer 2

-successful as both flexible + adaptable - capitalized on conflict between hawks + doves
-1518 treaty of London - successful as avoided isolation from European powers - Henry VII became arbiter of Europe for short time - breached in habsburg Valois conflict despite appearing to make strides in diplomatic peace
1514 - Louis XII France - Wolsey negotiate marriage w/ Mary == Henry’s main aim to secure dynasty
–> gains 100,000 crowns + English possession Tournai
BUT
death Louis 1515 + Francis on thrown = treaty short-lived
(although Wolsey cemented his place as kings chief diplomat)
CA - Wolsey did achieve henry’s aim of securing the dynasty through marriage alliances + showed henry was a respectable monarch BUT ULT. short lived compromises success

Question 3

successful in maintenance of peace (wolsey aim)

Answer 3

W/ scotland
-1509 - james + henry renew 1502 Anglo-Scottish Treaty (treaty Ayton)
-James IV launch attack on England 1513 (henry war w/ France)
-Catherine Aragon - James + 10,000 men killed at battle flodden - henry’s sister Margaret left as regent for an infant heir to Scottish throne James V (crushing defeat)
-1526 league - wolsey negotiated into peace treaty Habsburg Valois
CA - although successful in both cases maintenance of peace was not a main aim for henry
- also only subsidised league of cognac

Question 4

henry gained some glory but mostly a failure in terms of the French throne

Answer 4

-role in Habsburg Valois conflict – paints Charles to be against pope clement
-pulls out 1523 - although appears to mess up francis’ affiliation w/ pope clement and charles looks evil
+ morally wrong + henry’s betrayal of Charles = ‘godly king’
-CA- success as henry involved in major conflict -
BUT did not gain french crown + if anything