Foreign Policy under Cromwell Flashcards
Why did Henry seek an alliance with the League of Schmalkadan, and why was Henry not immediately threatened by the continent’s reaction to the Break with Rome?
Germany had resolved to Lutheranism to preserve semi-independence from the Holy Roman Empire. Cromwell failed to orchestrate an alliance, but Charles V was preoccupied by the threat posed by the Ottoman Turks to Christian Europe, regardless. In 1536, the death of Catherine of Aragon and execution of Anne Boleyn offered the prospect of a renewed alliance with Charles V, and the resumption of war between France and the Holy Roman Empire reduced the danger of Henry’s isolation.Cromwell arranged a marriage between Henry and Anne of Cleves, functioning to form an alliance with the League of Schmalkadan, But this transpired in January 1540 through divorce and became politically redundant once war resumed between France and the Holy Roman Empire.
When did foreign pressure on Henry increase?
In July 1538, the Treaty of Nice was signed between Charles V and Francis I, vowing to sever connections with England. The Pope published a bull deposing Henry, absolving English Catholics from the obligation to obey their King. Henry was excommunicated by Pope Paul III. The Pope sent envoys to France and Scotland to rouse support for a crusade against the King.
