Henry VII foreign policy Flashcards
What were the aims of Henry VII’s foreign policy?
- Secure his throne from both
domestic and foreign threats. - Gain recognition for the tudor
dynasty from other European
powers. - Adopt a more defensive foreign
policy that his predecessors and
avoid war if at all possible. (poor
financial position). - Build up his financial resources so
that he could fund any necessary
defensive measures.
Why were France and Scotland a large threat to Henry VII?
- Scotland seen as backdoor to
England. - These two countries could exploit
Henry’s weak position in order to
launch attacks either on northern
frontier or south coast. - France + Scotland Auld alliance (war
on two fronts = sandwich)
What were the Dynastic threats that Henry VII faced and what were their impact?
- Henry = usurper, weak claim to
throne. - Some European countries might
exploit this and undermine him or
as with M.O.B restore Yorkist line. - Therefore Henry wanted to improve
relations with major powers and
gain allies to discourage attacks
(protection, recognition, guarantees
they would not support other
claimants). - One method = Marriage alliances.
What was the impact of Englands weak financial position on Henry VII’s foreign policy?
- High aim to avoid war. (costly)
- In particular Henry wanted to avoid
war with France as not only was it a
close neighbour and allied to
Scotland, it was financially far
stronger than England.
What were Henry VII’s economic goals with his foreign policy?
- Increased revenue from trade to
strengthen monarchy, therefore
Henry other than national security,
wanted to improve Englands
economic position. - Maintain cloth trade with Burgundy.
- However trade was secondary to
national security, cloth trade was
suspended with Burgundy when it
supported Warwick.
What are the 3 phases Henry VII’s foreign policy can be split up into?
- 1485-92: a period where Henry
follows a policy of diplomacy to
secure throne.. - 1493-1502: a period where peace
with Scotland was eventually
secured and Henry’s position
appeared to be stronger and his
policy more successful. - 1503-09: A period when Henry’s
position weakened and he
ultimately became more isolated.
How was Henry VII’s foreign policy successful in early parts of his reign?
- Secured support abroad for his
position. - 1485 one year truce with France
who had supported his seizure of
the throne. Able to extend this to
1489. - Support of Brittany.
- 3 year truce with Scotland in 1486,
relations improved further after
James III assassination, new king =
young. - HRE, 1487 renewed treaty for one
year. - Could be fairly confident other
countries would not support other
claimants.
What 4 sections can Henry VII’s foreign policy aims be split into?
MASA
- Making money
- Avoiding war
- Security
- Alliances
What did many of Henry VII’s treaties contain to help trade?
- Trade clauses.
- E.g Medina Del Campo: allowed the
export of goods from Spain in
foreign ships. - As a result, income from customs
revenue rose from £33,000 in 1485
to £40,00 in 1509.
What was Henry VII’s main focus of English trade on?
Cloth trade with Burgundy
When did Henry VII place an embargo on trade with burgundy, and why?
1493 and 1496 due to M.O.B giving support to Warbeck
What ended the embargo Henry VII placed on cloth trade with Burgundy?
What did it mean?
- The Magnus intercursus.
- English Merchants could sell
anywhere in Philips land, except
Flanders, without toll.
Henry VII was able to negotiate the Malus intercursus, what considerable advantages did this give English merchants?
- Trade with burgundy would be free.
- Philip was not to impose any duties
on the sale of English cloth. - Philip was not to exclude English
cloth from his lands. - Philips subjects still had to pay the
duties outlined in the Magnus
intercursus. - Much was overturned by 1507 as it
was too favourable to English
merchants.
Who did Henry VII create a treaty with, encouraging trade?
Portugal
Henry had confirmed Spanish privilege of exemption from duties, but he then imposed Navigation acts of 1485-86, How did Spain retaliate?
- Forbade export of goods from
Spain on foreign ships if Spanish
ships were available. - Treaty of Medina Del Campo fixed
this.
How did Henry VII get Venice to drop duties on English ships?
- Venetians dominated trade in
Mediterranean, they imposed heavy
duties on English ships transporting
wine from levant to England. - Henry imposed heavy duties against
Venetians. - Henry approached Florence for
trade, signing a treaty in 1490,
establishing an english staple or
market. - Venice (enemy of Florence) drop
duty on English ships in response.
Why was Henry VII less successful with trade with the Baltic?
- Dominated by Hanseatic league.
(group of german ports + cities) - Henry tried to limit privileges that
had been given to Hanseatic league
after they helped Edward get
throne. - Unsuccessful, 1504, not much had
changed.
Why was Scotland a threat to Henry VII and England?
- Edward had seized border towns of
Berwick and Dunbar, Scots
determined to win them back. - Auld alliance (attack on two fronts)
- Support from France vital for
Scotland, as they were weaker than
England financially and in
population.
How did Henry VII achieve 3 year truce in 1486 with Scotland?
- Scotland was more favourably
inclined towards him than Richard III
who had supported raids into
Scotland. - Henry desire and need for peace.
What made war far less likely for Henry VII against Scotland?
- Assassination of James III in 1488
after battle of Sauchiburn. - James IV only 15 years old so can’t
lead an army/wage war.
How did Henry VII achieve a 9 year treaty with Scotland after the death of James III?
- Henry maintained contacts in
Scottish court with Scottish nobility
led by earl of Angus who favoured
strong relations with England. - Henry gave shelter to those Scottish
nobles ousted from power and in
1492 aided successful overthrow of
Anti-English regents. - this brought Earl of Angus back to
power resulting in treaty.
Why was Henry VII’s achievement of a 9 year treaty short lived?
- King James IV came of age in 1495.
He wanted to assert himself by
going to war against traditional
enemy.
Who arrived in Scotland to aid James IV against England in July 1495?
- Perkin Warbeck.
- Given royal welcome.
- Married to cousin Lady Catherine
Gordon. - Given military support for an
invasion of England in Sept 1496.
Why was James IV invasion of England with Warbeck a fiasco/failure?
- Received no support in England.
What led to the Truce of Ayton in 1497?
- As a result of England becoming
free of other foreign policy
difficulties James became scared
that funds were being raised in
English parliament for invasion of
Scotland. Therefore he didn’t use
Cornish rising as opportunity for
invasion. - The departure of Warbeck
When did the Truce of Ayton become the Peace of Ayton?
- When Warbeck was executed in
1499. - Big achievement, no treaty had
been signed since 1328. - Henry’s eldest daughter married to
James IV.
How did Henry VII improve security via Spain and Burgundy?
- Medina Del Campo = support from
Spain, puts France of!, negates Auld
alliance, promise not to help rebels,
Marriage of Arthur to Catherine. - links to burgundy, Catherine’s sister
married to Philip of Burgundy. - After Arthur death, Henry’s other
son marries Catherine.
How did Henry VII improve finances via Spain and Burgundy?
Catherines Dowry £40,000
How did Henry VII improve trade via Spain and Burgundy?
Special trade agreement prices
What successes did Henry VII have with France in his foreign policy?
- Invade France 1492 (October) when
French forces in Italy. - French sign treaty of Etaples.
- £5000 French pension per year.
- All campaign expenses paid.
- French say they will not give aid to
rebels, especially Warwick.
Where was Henry VII unsuccessful with his policy in France?
- Henry attempts to negotiate
between HRE and France (then
6,000 troops) to help Maximilian. - Maximilian makes peace with
France in 1489. - Brittany accept defeat in 1491 and
Anne is married to France.
