Henry VII Foreign Policy Flashcards
Brittany and France
The independent Duchy of Brittany had provided Henry with refuge when he had fled England in 1471
France had given Henry financial aid for his invasion in 1485
Support for Brittany could antagonise the French
France had the largest and most professional army in Europe
Scotland
Scotland’s Auld Alliance with France meant that England could be attacked on two flanks simultaneously
Raids across the border were common and forced England to keep expensive military bases in the form of border garrisons
Scotland was a nuisance rather than a serious threat
Spain
The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile had brought together their two kingdoms and turned them into an international power
They were focused on driving Muslims out of Granada
They wanted to retake land from France which meant they were more likely to come into conflict with France
Burgundy
Edward IV’s sister, Margaret had married the Duke of Burgundy and offered a base for Yorkist claimants to the throne and their supporters
This was a direct threat for Henry but the importance of the cloth trade made action more complicated
Auld Alliance
An alliance between France and Scotland which started in 1295 and was signed by all Scottish and French monarchs, except Louis XI
Holy Roman Empire
The power of the Emperor was limited
The Empire had acquired Burgundy in 1477 when Maximillian married Mary of Burgundy
It also had claims to lands in Italy
Italy
The rulers of France, Spain and the Empire all had claims to land there
The Italian Wars in 1494 diverted European attention to Mediterranean and made Henry’s position less vulnerable
Breton Crisis
1488
France, Brittany
Charles VII
Anne of Brittany
Henry had failed to protect Brittany
Anne of Brittany marries Charles VII of France
December 1491
Treaty of Etaples
October 1492
France, England
No aid to English rebels
Pay the Treaty of Picquigny and most of Henry’s expenses in Brittany
Annual pension of £5000 (5% of royal income)
James III assassinated at Battle of Sauchieburn
James IV becomes king at 15
1488
Treaty of Redon
February 1489
England, Brittany
6000 English troops
July 1489
Spain made peace with France so it could continue attacks in Grenada
Treaty of Medina Del Campo
1489
Arthur and Catherine of Aragon engagement
Spain wouldn’t help English rebels
Important trade clauses
£33,000 - £40,000 from 1485 - 1509
Truce of Ayton
1497
Henry offers his daughter Margaret in marriage to James IV
First peace treaty with Scotland since 1328
