Henry VII foreign policy change vs continuity Flashcards
most significant change of foreign policy?
More ambitious + broadly successful after securing dynasty
- Initial aim of securing dynasty (was too hazardous due to his insecure crown) including dealing with pretenders (aim of ensuring Pretenders didn’t get international aid)
- Hesitant to send troops to help Brittany, ensure france knew it was only out of defence
- Using italian wars to advantage rather than becoming involved
after change
- Intercursus Malus 1506, reflects Henry’s position of strength as sacrifice trade for national security (Warbeck)
- Insisted on marriage of Catherine to Henry, had possession of Catherine’s person and of half her dowry and knew spain needed england’s support against France
how else did foreign policy change (2)?
relations with Ireland significantly improved
- Threat of Kildare (lord deputy of Ireland) who sympathised for Simnel in 1486 🫅and warbeck in 1491
- Infant son Henry as lieutenant and sir Edward Poynings as deputy ➡️ Poynings law in 1495 ( Irish laws had to be approved by the English crow)
- Although too $ ➡️ gave time for alliance with Kildare to be made
how else did foreign policy change? (3)
insecurity of the succession
- Before 1502 no issue but the Death of Arthur increased the instability of the dynasty and places young Henry as heir (what would happen if Henry VII died whilst Arthur was a child)
- Henry’s health deteriorated rapidly, dying on the 21st April 1509, death wasn’t announced till after Fox, Western and Beaufort had manipulate term of the succession and positioned themselves around the new king
- Wife Elizabeth dies 1503 making situation worse ➡️ no hope for more children therefore less secure as Tudor line not promised
most significant evidence of continuity of foreign policy during his reign?
Desire to keep peace (led by necessity, defensive and reactive)
- Never had a warlike foreign policy, only ever sent 3000 troops in the Breton crisis (1499)
- Number of treaties to improve relations with other countries in order to achieve aims of securing the dynasty + helped to keep peace
- eg Medina Del Campon and the Treaty of Etaples
other evidence of continuity in foreign policy during his reign? (2)
Importance of marriage alliance
Essential part of European diplomacy ➡️used to enhance power and influence + dynastic security for Henry
- Catherine and Author
- Princess Margaret and James IV
- Princess Mary and Louis XII
Used marriage alliances continuously throughout reign to enhance his position in Europe by improving relations with major European countries
evidence of continuity in foreign policy?
Scotland remained a significant threat
BC: Edward had taken the border towns of Berwick and Dunbar
- 1486 truce with James III but was killed by nobles in 1488 who were hostile to Henry
- Although James IV 💍 Margaret relations worsened in 1496 when James IV gave Warbeck shelter and a royal welcome as well as military support for his failed
Still threat to tudor dynasty ➡️ border raids + franco scottish alliance continue
Henry’s foreign policy conclusion?
In conclusion, in terms of King Henry achieving international support he was successful due to his frequent use of treaties meaning more countries recognised him as a power. However, Henry was arguably less successful in securing his dynasty due to numerous deaths and the objective of creating peace was also less successful as he went to battle in Brittany against the French and enabled economic warfare on Burgundy. These factors as well as the Perkin Warbeck rebellion which posed a threat to his throne ultimately led to the conclusion that overall his success was limited in achieving his foreign policy objectives between 1485 and 1509.
