Henry VII Foreign Policy

Question 1

What we’re Henry’s aims with his foreign policy?

Answer 1

Henry’s foreign policy was defensive due to the nature of his succession.
He aimed to:
- Destroy threats
- Secure the dynasty
- Improve finances

Question 2

How was Henry’s policy with Spain a success?

Answer 2

In the Treaty of Medina del Campo of 1489 they agreed to:
- gave Henry’s legitimacy recognition from a foreign power
- both agreed to intervene immediately if the other were at war with France
- neither would support rebels of the other party
- Arthur and Catherine of Aragon would marry

Question 3

How was Henry’s policy with Spain a failure?

Answer 3

• Arthur died in 1502 after only being married to Catherine for 5 months

Castilian Succession Crisis 1504-1506:
- Separation of Aragon and Castile
- Henry supported Philip of Burgundy and Joanna in their attempt to claim Castile as an alliance with a weak Aragon was pointless
- Helped support them by cancelling debts of £138,000
- Philip suddenly died and Joanna had a mental breakdown and Castille was taken over
- Alliance with Spain was squandered and Henry lost money

Question 4

How was Henry’s policy with Scotland a success?

Answer 4

• Truce of Ayton was signed in 1497 became a full peace treaty after Warbeck’s execution
• Treaty of Perpetual Peace 1502 was the first peace treaty between England and Scotland since 1328
• Henry’s daughter Margaret was married to James IV in 1503

Question 5

How was Henry’s policy with Scotland a failure?

Answer 5

• Despite agreed peace border raids between countries continued
  e.g. the Border Reivers Gangs that stole sheep, cattle, and horses
• James IV continued to build up his navy finding a new harbour at Newhaven in 1504

Question 6

How was Henry’s policy with Burgundy a success?

Answer 6

Intercursus Magnus 1496:
- Ended trade embargo due to Warbeck support
- Allowed merchants to sell without paying customs in anywhere Philip’s lands except Flanders
Ended due to De la Pole but was followed by:

Intercursus Malus 1506:
- Negotiated return of Edmund de la Pole
- Removed all duties on English cloth exports without reciprocity

Question 7

How was Henry’s policy with Burgundy a failure?

Answer 7

Although Edmund de la Pole was returned Intercursus Malus was never implemented due to lack of support. Intercursus Magnus was renewed instead.

Intercursus Malus would’ve removed all duties on English cloth exports without reciprocity

Question 8

How was Henry’s policy with France a success?

Answer 8

Breton Crisis battle ended with only 2 days of fighting and only 12 wounded
Treaty of Etaples 1492 brought an end to the Breton Crisis
The treaty agreed to:
- £159,000 French pension for a Henry
- In 1497 was renegotiated to remove all restrictions of Anglo-Franco trade
- French promised not to support Warbeck
- Negated Auld Alliance

Question 9

How was Henry’s policy with France a failure?

Answer 9

• During the Breton crisis Henry agreed to send 6,000 trips and Anne of Brittany agreed to give at for campaign and not marry without Henry’s permission
• Anne married and peace was made with France behind Henry’s back - England was embarrassed

The Italian Wars 1504-1509:
- In 1494 France invaded Italy. Maximilian and Spain wanted England to support and attack France but Henry stayed out of it
- Henry lost trust of Maximilian and became distanced from European powers putting him at risk of war

Counter judgment: France remained loyal