Henry VII Flashcards
Consolidation of Power
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Government:councils, parliament, justice, royal finance, domestic policies
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Foreign Policies
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What was Henrys issues with Spain?
- Becoming a major power (united two territories) due to its size and wealth, was Frances main threat, frequently challenging for control of Europe (inc, Italian peninsulas) England was far away from Southern Europe & it’s importance diminished there. - England’s main role was to ally with Spain or France & try to control them
What was Henrys issues with France?
- Linked since the battle of Hastings, France had no territory in England, but the English still had the key part - Calais
- France wanted to increase borders, by taking in the semi-independent territories - Burgundy & Brittany to increase power Henry wanted to prevent this but did not want a war
What was Henrys issues with Scotland?
- Longest standing enemy
- Still disputes over borders and the Scots wanted to keep English influence out of the country
- Allying with France in the ‘Avid alliance’
What was Henrys issues with Burgundy?
- One of Henry’s most unrelenting enemies, however the real intention was unclear as England was a vital trading nation and Burgundy was vital for Englands trade
- Supporting the pretenders was possibly a way of keeping England on the back foot in terms of trade
What was Henrys issues with Ireland?
- Pretenders gained a great deal of support from Ireland
- Henry was the Lord of Ireland, but he only had support of the area known as the Pale Beyond where the real leaders who had little love for the English. - However, they did not cause much trouble
What was Henrys issues with Wales?
- Henry used his Welsh roots to keep potential troublesome people happy
- The border areas remained under control of the nobility and Henry had 1/3 of Wales under his direct control
- He clearly wanted them to be more than simply apart of his kingdom
Why was securing the throne a reason for Henry’s foreign policies?
- Henry was fully aware that during the wars of the roses, 3 english kings had been defeated and deposed by rivals supported by France or Brittany
- He did not want to be the 4th
Why was achieving international recognition of his kingship and dynasty’s legitimacy a reason for Henry’s foreign policies?
- The most obvious way to achieve this was through marriage alliances with foreign royal families
- Royal intermarriage was very common and could establish strong alliances between powerful families
Why was promoting prosperity in England/defending trading interests a reason for Henry’s foreign policies?
- England was already an established trading nation whose prosperity demanded on internal peace and advantageous commercial terms
- Economic prosperity generated increasing employment and personal wealth, circumstances that deter rebellion
- Social stability was therefore encouraged by economic security
Why was maintaining prestige whilst keeping costs down a reason for Henry’s foreign policies?
- Foreign entanglements were expensive and risky
- The King would have to fund such adventures through extraordinary revenue, usually unpopular taxation
- Henry realised that the treasury was far more secure when England was a useful ally for one of the main powers in Europe than when financially on independent foreign policy
- England had creased to be a major European power after defeat in the 100 year war in 1453 and was now a second ranking European power
Why were marriage alliances important?
- To gain recognition on the international stage by forming strong alliances with powerful families (e.g England & Spain)
- To secure Henry’s kingship. Nobles will be less likely to rebel if powerful alliances are forged between countries & threats will be reduced from abroad
- To promote trade/economic prosperity e.g Catherine of Aragon’s dowry & treaty of Medina del Campo
- To establish a dynastic succession, ensured longevity of the family line & reputation of a King
- To deter rebellion e.g marriages that meant Spain and Scotland wouldn’t assist/harbour rebels/pretenders
- To neutralise opponents e.g. Henry VII married Elizabeth of York to unite the warring houses
What was the foreign policy used towards Scotland?
Problems with the country -
- Traditional enemies with border welfare
• James IV supported Warbeck - allowed him to marry his cousin
• Gave money to warbeck to help him usurp the throne
Henry’s response -
- Henry assembled an army to go North - stopped by Cornish rebellion
- So James & Henry made the Treaty of Ayton creating harmony - treaty upgraded to formal peace treaty
- Margaret Tudor married James - nations connected through marriage
What did Henry gain from this -
- Stopped the tension
- Wanted to stop the potential threat - prevented war
- Wanted an alliance/pace treaty to prevent future issues
What was the foreign policy used towards Ireland?
Problems with the country -
- Irish supported Simnel revolt, and the Warbeck imposture
• Rebellions occurred in Ireland
•Did not view Henry as their leader even though he was
Henry’s response -
- Forced Anglo - Irish nobles to swear an oath of allegiance to their English monarchy
- Sent Sir Edward Poynings to run Ireland - used Poyning’s laws which prevented them holding Parlimentary sessions/legislations without English approval
- Kildare sent to England as a hostage for behaviour after Poynings crushes a major rebellion run by his brother - his son was permanently kept when in 1496 Henry reinstated Kildare and allowed the Irish to run their own affairs again
What did Henry gain from this -
- Some peace
- Wanted to stop the potential of them supporting future rebels/pretenders
What was the foreign policy used towards Brittany/France?
Problems with the country -
- France wanted to take over Brittany
• French King married Anne of Brittany
• France = irritated by Henry’s support of Brittany so offered Warbeck shelter & support
- France & English disagreements had been occurring since 100 Year War
Henry’s response -
- Signed Treaty of Redon and sent 3000 archers against France to attempt to stop them taking over Brittany
- England was Brittanys only support so ended with Brittany being taken by the French
- Treaty of Estaples signed to leave France and for French to stop supporting Yorkist impostures - French paid England an annual pension of 50000 crowns
What did Henry gain from this -
- Asserted his strength - shown the continent he could not be taken for granted
- Made Nobles happy - allowed them to gain booty & glory
- Supported Brittany to gain lighter terms from France
- Stopped the French supporting pretenders/impostures
What was the foreign policy used towards Spain?
Problems with the country -
- Largest and wealthiest country in Europe - would improve his wealth and recognition
• After Arthurs death Ferdinand was hesitant to re-marry Catherine to Prince Henry
Henry’s response -
- Treaty of Medina del Campo
- Supported Juana’s (Catherines sister) claim to the throne
What did Henry gain from this -
- Wanted to gain wealth
- Wanted to gain more international prestige - ignored possible risks
What was the foreign policy used towards Burgundy?
Problems with the country -
- Supported Warbeck - offered him money and hospitality
• Margaret of Burgundy - Yorkist threat and supported rebellions
Henry’s response -
-Enforced a trade embargo until Warbeck left where he was given in Burgundy
- Trade embargo then became the Intercursus Magnus once he had gone- restored normal trade links but favoured the English
- Got the Earl of Suffolk through the agreement who was imprisoned
What did Henry gain from this -
- Wanted to stop them supporting pretenders/rebels
- Sacrificed english trade to gain better security on the throne
What were the 3 main factors that influenced Henry’s thinking when it came to the foreign policies?
- Trade - wanted it to be strong to continue to build a strong economy
- Security - on the throne, and for England this means protecting interests when needed
- Costs - wanted to keep costs low, did not want to pursue an expensive foreign policy (war) unless necssary
Why did Henry want to avoid war?
- Small army population, half size of Spain, a 1/3 of France’s. Treat of being overwhelmed by an enemy
- No nation standing army, only a National Militia - formed from shire counties to be a defence
- Reliance on nobles for soldiers, to prevent them having private armies
- Nobles alleged disenchantment with Henry = overstated his supposed attack on them - didn’t use huge resources
- Could hire mercenary troops from overseas - inflation & endless late wars saw the system breaking down by late 1540s
- Mercenaries fought for highest bidder not by politics & administrative nightmare, danger of ill prepared/organised/equipped soldiers
- War was expensive and complex- more important issues
Why were trade agreements used to achieve aims?
- England was a trading nation - increased revenue (£40,000 per annum - 1509) increased employment and economic prosperity, social stability encouraged & rebellion deterred
- Exploited commercial interests - establish strong alliances with foreign royal families - secures dynasty’s legitimate succession
- Trade agreements - establish security on the throne, put political pressure on rulers to deter harbouring rebels/pretenders e.g trade ban with Burgundy after backing Warbeck
- Trade agreements to maintain prestige whilst keeping costs low - foreign invasions required funding from extraordinary revenue e.g taxation, treasury = more secure
- Also economic prosperity pleased nobles & merchants enjoyed trading privileges - made more supportive of Henry’s reign
- Modified policy to9 secure his throne - Merchant adventures - limit trading rights enjoyed
Why was trade important in Henrys foreign policies?
Crucial as he wanted to build a strong economy and he used trade to pressure and control the other nations - embargoes
What was the Treaty of Medina del Campo?
- Drafted in 1489
- It was a marriage and mutual defence treaty between England and Spain
- Stipulated that they would help each other in the case of attack
- Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon would marry to unite the counties - allowed heirs of Henry to rule both
- Marriage was agreed in 1499, occurred in 1501
What were the main terms of the Treaty of Medina del Campo?
- Both monarch offered mutual protection in the event of attacks
- Both agreed to not harbour rebels/pretenders
- Marriage between Arthur and Catherine
- For Henry it offered some international peace and security he needed
What problems arose with the Treaty with Spain?
- The marriage did not go smoothly at first
- Ferdinand was reluctant to allow the marriage to go along as long as Henry’s dynastic stability remained threatened by Warbeck
- The monarchs argued over the size of Catherines dowry
- When the marriage finally took place in 1501 uniting the countries the following year Arthur dies (1502) which brought complications to Henry and Ferdinand’s relationship
- Anglo - Spanish relations became strained after 1502
How did Henry resolve the issues with the Treaty of medina del Campo?
- Henry suggested Catherine should marry his second son Prince Henry but Ferdinand was reluctant to agree as he little need foe the English alliance in the first place and the new marriage would require a papal dispensation
- In 1504 Henry lost enthusiasm for the marriage when the death of Isabella made Ferdinand less significant politically - during the resultant succession struggle in Spain between Ferdinand and Juana (Catherines Sister) Henry supported Juana and her husband Philip of Burgundy
- Juana and Philip set sail for Spain in 1506 but were forced to refuge in England when their ship wrecked
- Henry was able to take advantage of this and created the Treaty of Windsor and secured a stronger relation with Juana and Philip and restored the trade relations with Burgundy
- He also proposed a marriage between himself and Philips sister - Archduchess Margaret (aimed to strengthen his rule after Elizabeths death - never occurred)
What happened after Philip of Burgundy’s death?
- Died in 1506 - soon after their arrival to Spain
- Juana in her grief was described by her father Ferdinand as having gone mad
- This gave Ferdinand the opportunity to again become regent of Castile
- Left Henry diplomatically isolated by a major European power/monarch
- Ferdinand ensured the marriage with Prince Henry and Catherine of Aragon would not occur in Henry VII’s lifetime (married when Prince Henry became King)
What was the Treaty of Dordrecht (1489)?
- Henry and Maximilian signed this treaty
- Maximilian agreed to send troops to Brittany to help Henry resist French expansion while Henry would send 3,000 troops to assist Maximilian who was being beseiged by French and Flemish troops
- However, Henry learned an early lesson from Maximilian about the dangers of alliances
- Maximilian did not send troops. Instead, he concentrated on his interests in Hungary before making peace with Charles VIII
- Unsuccessful for Henry due to the betrayal
What was the Treaty of Redon (1489)?
- Henry promised to assist Brittany in defying French expansion and send 3,000 English troops paid for by Anne of Brittany
- Henry also agreed to build an anti-French alliance with Ferdinand and Maximilian
- Security of throne
- Economic prosperity
- International prestige
What was the Treaty of Medina del Campo (1489)?
The treaty provided Henry with recognition on the international stage and valuable security.
Its terms included:
- Ferdinand and Henry VII agreed mutual throne support to defend their countries against any enemy and assurance that neither King would make any peace without the other’s agreement
- Neither country would assist or harbour rebels or pretenders
- Princess Catherine of Aragon could marry Prince Arthur of England
- Security of the throne
- Security of the dynasty (marriage alliance)
- Economic prosperity
- International prestige
What was the Treaty of Estaples (1492)?
- By negotiating the Treaty, Henry outmaneuvered Perkin Warbeck as its terms included that Charles VIII would not support any imposters
- The French also agreed to pay an annual pension of 50,000 crowns (£5,000) as agreed in 1495 (although they did not actually pay this after the first year).
- Henry agreed to withdraw English troops from Brittany
- Security of the throne
- Economic prosperity
- International prestige
What was the Poynings Laws (1494)?
- Henry sent Sir Edward Poynings to Ireland as Lord Deputy
- Poynings undermined the autonomy of the Anglo-Irish nobles through ‘Poynings Laws’
- The most important law prevented them holding parliamentary sessions or legislating without the English government’s approval
-Security of the throne
What was the Intercursus Magnus (Great Settlement) (1496)?
- Henry signed this treaty after Burgundy withdrew support for Perkin Warbeck
- This trade treaty gave English merchants the right to trade freely throughout Burgundy except in Flanders
- Security of the throne
- Economic security
- International prestige
What was the Truce of Ayton (1497)?
- James IV was left isolated by Warbeck’s departure and faced growing discontent from his chief lords
- It suited both kings to make peace at the Truce of Ayton in 1497
- This established Anglo-Scottish harmony for the remainder of the reign and matured into a formal peace treaty in 1502
- Its long-term strength was symbolised by Henry’s agreement in 1501 for his daughter, Princess Margaret, to marry James IV, with the actual marriage taking place in 1503
- Security of the throne
- Security of the dynasty (marriage alliance)
- Economic prosperity
- International prestige
What was the Intercursus Malus (Evil Settlement) (1506)?
- Henry signed this settlement as part of the Treaty of Windsor
- This gave English merchants such advantageous trading privileges in Burgundy that the Burgundians never implemented it
- Economic prosperity
- International prestige
What was the Treaty of Windsor (1506)?
- Henry secured more advantageous trading terms than those agreed in the Intercursus Magnus for English merchants
- Philip of Burgundy would ensure Suffolk was handed over, provided Henry VII guaranteed his life
- Henry recognised Philip and Joanna as rulers of Castille
- Henry VII would marry Philip’s sister, Margaret of Savoy
- Security of the throne
- Economic prosperity
- International prestige
What was the Treaty of Cambrai (1508)?
- Maximilian chose to sign the Treaty of Cambrai with the Kings of France and Spain
- The Treaty was a military alliance against Venice, part of the continuing Italian Wars, and therefore did not involve Henry
England’s strongest allies in Europe was therefore conspicuously absent in the years 1508 - 1509 - Unsuccessful for Henry as he was not involved in
What deaths were there that affected foreign policies?
- Prince Arthur - Henry’s son - 1502
- Elizabeth of York - Henry’s Wife - 1503
- Queen Isabella of Castile - 1504
How did Elizabeth of York’s death affect foreign policies?
- Died in 1503
- Henry’s wife
- Died shortly after giving birth to their 7th child (who was also dead)
- Significant as Henry could now remarry, opening the chanced for new alliances
- Marriage treaties with Aragon and Castile, Burgundy and the Holy Roman Empire were raise but never materialised
- The princesses were not keen on marrying an aged Henry and he eventually lost enthusiasm on the idea
How did Prince Arthur’s death affect foreign policies?
- Died to an illness in 1502
- Died aged 15
- Henry eldest son and heir to the throne
- Significant as it threatened the alliance with Spain. Arthur and Catherine had only been married a few months
How did Queen Isabella of Castile’s death affect foreign policies?
- Died in 1504
- Significant impact on Henry as Isabella was a key supporter of him
- Isabella had ruled Castile and and played a key role in unifying Spain
- She had played a key role in the marriage of Arthur and Catherine
- With Arthur and then Isabella’s death, Henry was isolated not only from Spain but the rest of Europe. For a while Henry appeared vulnerable but he managed to recover
How did the Holy League of Venice affect England?
- Henry joined the ‘Holy League of Venice’ against the French, only for them to then later make peace with Spain in the Treaty of Cambrai (1508)
- Left England and Henry pretty isolated and short of strong alliances
How did Henry’s foreign policies affect the security of the throne?
- Ended Perkin Warbeck and Simnell impostures/rebellions - also ends foreign support for them
- No foreign or internal threats that were a risk
How did Henry’s foreign policies affect the security of the dynasty?
- Treaty of Medina del Campo - marriage between Catherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur (later Prince Henry)
- Treaty of Ayton - marriage between Margaret and James IV of Scotland
- Left the dynasty with a decent level of security - marriage alliances in place to prevent rebellion/ strengthen the country
How did Henry’s foreign policies affect economic prosperity?
- Treaty of Redon, support to Brittany
- Tried to establish alliances with Spain
- Significantly improved - boosted England by prioritising peace and securing advantageous treaties through marriages, helped restore England’s reputation after the Wars of the Roses, established the Tudor dynasty as a major player
How did Henry’s foreign policies affect international prestige?
- Treaty of Redon, support to Brittany
- Tried to establish alliances with Spain
- Significantly improved - boosted England by prioritising peace and securing advantageous treaties through marriages, helped restore England’s reputation after the Wars of the Roses, established the Tudor dynasty as a major player in
Society - churchmen, nobles and commoners; regional division; social discontent and rebellions
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Economic development - trade, exploration, prosperity and depression
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Religion - humanism; arts and learning
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