Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers Flashcards
Scottish relations with France
King James IV of Scotland had allied Scotland to France in 1512. In 1512, England attacked France. James IV coordinated his invasion of England to weaken Henry VIII and help France.
The Scottish invasion
In 1513 Scotland also invaded England. Catherine of Aragon sent troops commanded by the Earl of Surrey. There was a famous victory at Flodden in which James IV of Scotland and the core of the Scottish nobility were killed.
Aftermath of the Scottish invasion
The English army’s reputation was enhanced. Scotland was weakened due to defeat and a committee was established to rule on behalf of James IV’s wife (Margaret Tudor) and son (James V).
Invasion of France 1512
By 1512, England had joined the Holy League against France. Other members were Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy. England attacked France in 1512. But Spain’s forces did not arrive as promised. England’s army at Boulogne suffered dysentery and drunkenness. Henry led 30,000 troops to France in 1513. A minor victory against the French was hailed as ‘The Battle of the Spurs.’ The English took the towns of Tournai and Therouanne.
Outcomes of the invasion of France
Henry VIII had won a victory in France, bringing him prestige. He was encouraged to further pursue his inherited claim to the French throne. What Henry VIII had won was worth little but had cost £930,000. His finances were severely stretched. He had been let down by Spain – and his father-in-law, Ferdinand of Aragon.
Alliance with France
In 1514 Henry made peace with France; the Holy Roman Empire and Spain already had. The Anglo-French Treaty stated that England would gain Tournai, France would pay arrears from the Treaty of Étaples and Henry’s sister Mary would marry Louis XII.
A new French king
In 1515, a young, new King took control of France. Francis I invaded northern Italy, capturing Milan. It was a far greater victory than Henry VIII’s in 1513.
New Rivals
In 1515, King Francis I of France had conquered parts of northern Italy. In 1516 the Duke of the Netherlands, Charles, inherited Aragon. He already had Castile, so now owned Spain and its American empire.
Treaty of London 1518
Wolsey designed a peace treaty which was signed by 24 European states. This was important if there was to be a crusade. All other signatories would attack any state that broke the treaty. Each state signed a separate agreement with England. This made Henry VIII at the heart of the process.
Henry VIII’s and Wolsey’s status as peacemakers lasted until 1522.
Expensive wars
In 1519 Charles became the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and wanted to attack France. In 1522, England launched an expensive and disappointing attack on Normandy. In 1524, England was running out of money and made peace with France. In 1525, Charles captured Francis. But he would not give French land to Henry VIII.
Because of the failure of the Amicable Grant (Wolsey’s subsidy), Henry VIII could not gain any land.
An alliance against HRE Charles
In 1526, Wolsey negotiated joining France, the Pope, Venice and Florence in the League of Cognac against the Habsburgs (Charles).
