Henry VII: Foreign Policy - France

Question 1

What was France like during Henry VII’s reign?

Answer 1

• The kingdom of France was ruled by Charles VIII (then Louis XII from 1508), a member of the house of Valois
• The French monarch was the strongest power in Europe and he used that power to annexe other provinces including Brittany, Navarre and Burgundy
• This brought France into conflict with many European countries

Question 2

Why did Henry VII have a conflict of interests with France?

Answer 2

• France wanted to annexe the semi-independent state Brittany
• But, Henry VII owed the Duke of Brittany a debt of loyalty for the shelter he had received from 1471 to 1484
• Charles VIII also sheltered Tudor in exile

Question 3

What would happen if France annexed Brittany?

Answer 3

• Additional territory meant that the King of France would be wealthier, therefore reducing the likelihood that the King of England could lay legitimate claim to the throne of France
• French expansion also raised security issues to the English south coast, and particularly threatened England’s last continental possession, Calais
• French presence in Brittany might also threaten English trade in the English Channel

Question 4

Breton Crisis

Answer 4

• In 1487, the French regent declared the plan for Charles VIII to marry Anne of Brittany
• In 1489, the Treaty of Redon was signed between Brittany and England. England promised to protect Brittany and Anne would cover the costs of the 3,000 strong English army
• In 1491, France took control of Brittany when Charles VIII married Anne. Henry reasserted his ancient claim to France and besieged Boulogne with 12,000 troops
• In 1492, the Treaty of Etaples was negotiated, with the following terms:
  1 The French would pay an annual pension of 50,000 crowns (£5,000), as agreed in 1495.
  2 Charles VIII would not support any imposters
  3 Henry would withdraw his English troops from Brittany

Question 5

Why did France agree to the Treaty of Etaples?

Answer 5

• France wanted a war in the lucrative Italian peninsular, and would be disinclined to waste revenue on a conflict with England
• So, the short siege of Boulogne ended with the Treaty of Etaples
• Henry had asserted his strength, avoided a major campaign, and secured his international reputation

Question 6

What were the positive outcomes of the Breton Crisis and the Treaty of Etaples?

Answer 6

• Henry had asserted his strength and secured his international reputation
• English-French relationship not destroyed
• Despite being vulnerable at home, Henry had cleverly intervened abroad
• Short war - England not humiliated and death rate/economic cost not high
• Treaty of Etaples meant England gained financially and made Warbeck less of a threat

Question 7

What were the negative outcomes of the Breton Crisis and the Treaty of Etaples?

Answer 7

• English didn’t win any major battles in Brittany
• South coast of England, Calais, and trade were still threatened as the French remained in control of Brittany

Question 8

What were Anglo-French relations like for the remainder of Henry VII’s reign?

Answer 8

• Over the next two decades, Anglo-French relations were relatively good
• Although they deteriorated again after 1508 when France was drawn into a closer alliance with Spain by creating the League of Cambrai