Henry VII - Foreign Policy Flashcards
1
Q
Initial relations with Brittany and France
A
- Independent Duchy of Brittany had provided refuge for Henry in 1471 - important area for England as it was desired by France in order to give them total control of the Channel coast
-France had given financial aid for Henry’s invasion in 1485 - support for Brittany may antagonise French - dangerous as France financially and militarily stronger - France = traditional enemy following 100 Yrs War but situation more dangerous due to Auld Alliance
2
Q
Initial relations with Scotland
A
- Scotland = much smaller pop. + financial income than England but Auld Alliance with France meant it could be attacked on two flanks simultaneously
- raids across the border common - forced England to keep expensive military bases with troops at Berwick and Carlisle
3
Q
Initial relations with Spain
A
- New major power in Europe but priorities were to drive the Moors out of Granada - accomplished in 1492, and to secure northern border with France by securing claims to Naples
- meant Spain more likely to be in conflict with France than England
4
Q
Initial relations with Burgundy
A
- important trade area for England
- Margaret (sister of Edward IV and Richard III) married Duke of Burgundy + offered base for Yorkist claimants and their supporters
5
Q
Initial relations with Holy Roman Empire
A
- Empire covered much of central Europe and composed of different states
- acquired Burgundy in 1497 when Maximilian married Mary of Burgundy
- claims to lands in Italy - site of major conflict in this period
6
Q
Initial relations with Italy
A
- Did not exist as a country in 1485 = collection of states
- rulers of France, Spain and the Empire all had claims of land
- Outbreak of Italian wars in 1494 diverted European attention away from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean - made Henry’s position less vulnerable
7
Q
What were the aims of Henry VII’s foreign policy?
A
- National security
- Secure the Tudor dynasty
- Strengthen financial position
8
Q
What was the Breton Crisis?
A
- regent of France proposed marrying her brother, Charles VIII, to daughter and heir of ageing Duke of Brittany, ignoring existing arrangement between the Duke’s daughter and Maximilian
- regent sent a force into Brittany 1488 to enforce this aim
- provoked response from Maximilian + Ferdinand = sent troops to aid Brittany
- Brittany asked England for help
9
Q
What problems did the Breton Crisis create?
A
- in security interests of England to stop whole Channel coast coming under French control, but France gave Henry financial aid to take throne in 1485
- Henry attempted to negotiate but Bretons refused + were defeated by French army
- death of Duke of Brittany - daughter Anne promptly seized by French
- England not strong enough to take on France alone
10
Q
How successful was Henry’s response to the Breton Crisis?
A
- Henry renewed treaty with Maximilian followed by Treaty of Redon with Brittany in Feb 1489 - agreed to send 6000 men, paid for by Bretons - argued that small number of men sign of Henry’s unwillingness to enter conflicts/could be that Henry hoped for re conquest of Normandy and Guyenne but Bretons limited number of men he could send
- Maximilian + Spain made peace with France
- Dec 1491 Brittany accepted defeat - Anne of Brittany marries Charles VIII
- Leaves Henry in difficult spot - had gone to war to protect Brittany and had failed
- France had control of entire Channel coast - could launch invasion
- considerable sum of money wasted to fund war
11
Q
Henry VII invasion of France
A
- wanted to assert traditional claim over French throne
- invasion crossed Channel in Oct 1492 - campaigning season almost over - any conflict would be short
- Nov 3 - Charles signed Treaty of Étaples:
- give no aid to English rebels - particularly Warbeck
- pay the arrears of the Treaty of Picquigny
- pay most of Henry’s expenses to Brittany
12
Q
How successful was Henry’s invasion of France in 1492?
A
- resulted in an annual pension of around £5000
- Charles promised not to aid Perkin Warbeck
- financial benefits = 5% royal income
13
Q
What was the Treaty of Venice/ the Holy League?
A
- League of Venice = established in 1495 with aim of driving France out of Italy - Henry initially excluded from this - outside England’s usual sphere of activity
- revamped as Holy League in 1496 - England invited to join
14
Q
To what extent was the Holy League successful foreign policy?
A
- Ferdinand concerned that excluding England dangerous as she would support France - showed England’s position in Europe was changing
- Henry allowed to join on condition that England not bound to got to war with France - shows England’s importance in European affairs
- Henry secured trade agreement with France but maintained friendship with League
- preserved improved relation with France after treaty of Etaples but also negated Auld Alliance
15
Q
How/why did Henry avoid conflict with Scotland?
A
- Scots favoured him over Richard III who had supported raids into Scotland = resulted in 3 year truce in July 148
- 1488 = assassination of J3 after Battle of Sauchiburn, fought against Scot noble rebels - heir J4 only 15 - conflict unlikely(however regents = unfriendly + Henry’s support for Brittany against France tightened Auld All.)
- H7 lessened hostility = maintained contact with Scottish nobility led by Earl of Angus(pro Anglo-Scot cooperation) + sheltered ousted Scottish nobles + aided successful overthrowing of anti-English regents in 1492
- coup = Earl of Angus back in power = 9 yr truce signed in 1493
