Foreign Relations Flashcards
Burgandy was a major trading partner of England, why is this an issue?
Margaret of Burgandy had been a yorkist and supported yorkists
Where was the centre for cloth trade in Europe?
Antwerp, Netherlands
What was Henry’s original aim for foreign policy?
Based on money and his succession
Who did he wants to protect from France?
Brittany and Calais
What were Henry’s aims in terms of trade?
•Keep trade up and increase wealth
•Break up the Hanseatic League (German towns that dominated trade in the Baltic)
•Build up the cloth trade
•Encourage trade in Europe and the New World’s development
•Develop trade in the Mediteranian
Who were Henry’s main key threats?
Scotland, France, Holy Roman Empire
Who were Henry’s potential allies and foreign partners?
Spain and Brittany
Who were a potential threat but also helpful to Henry?
Ireland, Burgandy, Italy
Why was Scotland a threat for Henry?
•Countryside layout made invasion and conquest dificult
•Traditional alliance betweem Scotland and France could expose England
•Threat of border raids meant expensive garrisons were needed
Why was France a threat for Henry?
•Largest and most professional army in Europe
•Financially strong
•Largest population in Europe
Why was the Holy Roman Empire a threat?
•Large and strong
•Had claims and ambitions in Italy
•Aquired Burgandy when Maximilian married Mary of Burgandy in 1477
Why was Ireland a threat but helpful?
•Deeply held Yorkist sympathies
•Provided an ideal springboard for invasion attempts
Why was Burgandy a threat but helpful?
•Edward IV’s sister, Margaret of Burgandy, could act against England
•It was the principle trade and cloth finishing centre for England
Why was Italy a threat but helpful to Henry?
•Hugely wealthy and experiencing cultural revolution
•France and the Holy Roman Empire had claims in Italy they wished to pursue
•Geographically and commercially at the crossroads of Europe
•Was weak and divided into different states
Why was Brittany a potential ally/foreign partner to Henry?
•Helped Henry
•Henry owed the Duke grattitude
Why was Spain a potential ally/foreign partner for Henry?
•Possibility of conflict with France but not England - wanted to secure Northern border
•Ferdinand inherited claims to Naples
