Henry VII - Foreign Policy

Question 1

Henry’s foreign policy aims

Answer 1

essentially straightforward

• no grand plans to assert English power in Europe
• more concerned with maintaining good relations + defence for national security, recognition of Tudor dynasty, defence of English trading interests

Question 2

Brittany and France - What started the conflict

Answer 2

First major foreign policy involvement came in Brittany
French invade 1487:
- Henry raises ex revenue through Parl in 1489 to raise army against French
- sense of obligation to Bretons + fear that direct control of Brittany could increase potential threat to England

Question 3

Treaty of Redon

Answer 3

Feb 1489
- Duchess Anne pay for small Eng army to defend Brittany from French threat
+ Henry tries to strengthen his position by an alliance with Maximilian (who contracted a marriage-by-proxy with Anne) - didn’t wish for her to fall into French hands

Question 4

Why did the invasion of Brittany initially fail + how did Henry recover?

Answer 4

Anne feared futility of prolonged resistance to French and reluctantly married Charles VIII of France

• Eng army marooned in Brittany and Max. lost interest
• made worse by Perkin Warbeck who sought French backing for his claim to Eng throne

Henry recovers by launching invasion of France in 1492 - French sought peace settlement
* Henry benefited from change in French’s military approach

Question 5

Treaty of Etaples

Answer 5

Nov 1492 - Charles agrees to withdraw support for Perkin Warbeck + pay pension to Henry to compensate him for expense of invasion

Question 6

Success of Brittany policy?

Answer 6

Success because he managed to defend national + dynastic interests
- improved financial position + ensured a period of relative cordiality in Ang-French relations

Question 7

Burgundy, the Netherlands and the Holy Roman Empire - why did relations deteriorate?

Answer 7

Bulk of exports through Antwerp (Netherlands)

• under Burgundy’s jurisdiction
• Important for good relations to be maintained
• complicating factor = Margaret Duchess of Burgundy (leading upholder of Yorkist cause) + enlisted support of Max + his son Philip (Netherlands)
• deteriorated because of hospitality Max and Philip offered to Perkin Warbeck
• Henry’s trade embargo on trade with Burgundy put foreign policy objectives in conflict (trade + dynasty)
• sacrificed commercial interests for dynastic interests

Question 8

Burgundy, the Netherlands and the Holy Roman Empire - how did relations improve?

Answer 8

After Warbeck left Burgundy - Henry + Philip able to agree on Intercursus Magnus 1496 - trade embargo end

Treaty of Windsor 1504 meant that new trade agreement Malus was agreed - demanded a better trade deal (didn’t happen) + Suffolk handed over

Question 9

Burgundy, the Netherlands and the Holy Roman Empire - success?

Answer 9

Improved England’s trading position and security of dynasty

Question 10

Spain - Treaty of Medina del Campo

Answer 10

1489

• gave him some of the international peace + security which he aspired
• mutual protection in instance of attack
• agreement not to harbour rebels/pretenders
• Marriage between Arthur + Catherine of Aragon (daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand)

Problems with implementation
- marriage plans not smooth as Ferdinand reluctant as long as Perkin Warbeck was a threat + arguments over size of Cat’s dowry

Question 11

Death of Arthur - impacts on foreign relations with Spain

Answer 11

Marriage in 1501
Arthur death in 1502
- Ferdinand reluctant to agree to marriage to Prince Henry (required papal dispensation)
- 1504 - Henry supports Juana during succession struggle between Ferdinand and Juana

Question 12

Treaty of Windsor

Answer 12

1506 - Juana and Philip took refuge in England

• stronger relationship = Intercursus Malus (Between Burgundy and England)
• return of Suffolk
• Henry’s recognition of Juana and Philip as rulers of Castile

*death of Philip caused Juana to go mad, Ferdinand becomes regent of Castile - Henry now diplomatically isolated + marriage between Catherine and prince Henry didn’t happen

Question 13

Scotland - foreign relations 1485-95

Answer 13

1485-95 = tense relations

Question 14

Scotland - foreign relations 1495-96

Answer 14

1495-96 = Turning point

• King James offered hospitality to Perkin Warbeck + encouraged him to cross border in 1496 with an army
• small and insignificant but caused Henry to raise a larger army against Scot which caused a tax rebellion following year

Question 15

Scotland - foreign relations 1497 onwards

Answer 15

Cornish rebellion - large scale - occurred after Henry invaded Scotland
- Truce of Ayton 1497 meant that relations significantly improved + James no longer had use for Warbeck - executed 1499

Question 16

Scotland - foreign relations 1501-03

Answer 16

James should marry Henry’s daughter Princess Margaret
1502 - sanctioned by formal peace treaty (Treaty of Perpetual Prace)
1503 - marriage took place

Henry was successful in ensuring security of dynasty

Question 17

Ireland - why were there tense foreign relations initially?

Answer 17

Dominant figure in Ireland (Earl of Kildare) had Yorkist sympathies + supported Lambert Simnel (who he crowned king of Ireland 1486) + supported Warbeck in 1491

Question 18

Ireland - What action did Henry take against Kildare?

Answer 18

Ruled the ‘Pale’ through Englishmen, backed by armed force

• Prince Henry = Lieutenant of Ireland
• Sir Edward Poynings = deputy
• Poynings was initially successful + passed Poyning’s Law 1495 - laws needed approval from English crown

Question 19

Ireland - Why did Henry recall Poynings?

Answer 19

Too expensive - recalled Poynings because of threats from Warbeck + short of money because of Scottish invasions

• Kildare deputy again
• no benefit in supporting Yorkist cause - served Henry loyally

1500 - some level of peaceable and cheap authority in Ireland

Question 20

Importance of marriage alliances

Answer 20

Brought about dynastic security + essential part of international diplomacy

• Marriage of Margaret to James (Scot) weakened Warbeck

Question 21

Interpretations - failure

Answer 21

Doran:

• foreign policy aims failed in detail + proved to be expensive
• yet when he died, he left his country and dynasty internationally secure
• success was based on firm foundation of domestic strength and realistic objectives in foreign policy

Carpenter:
- England had become rather isolated in European politics by 1509 - may have proved dangerous had Henry VIII’s accession been challenged