Henry VIII, 1509–1547: Foreign Policy: HRE & France Under Wolsey

Question 1

Outline the main events of the conflict between Charles V and Francis I when Wolsey was in power (1515–1529)

Answer 1

• 1518
- Treaty of London

• June 1520
- Field of the Cloth of Gold
- Meets Charles V twice

• 1522
- Henry allies with Charles V and invades France
- Surrey led failed invasion of Calais

• 1525
- Charles V’s army captures Francis I after Battle of Pavia
- Charles V refuses to split France into English and Spanish zone

• 1527
- Henry and Francis I create anti-Habsburg alliance through Treaty of Amiens

• 1528
- France and England go to war with the Habsburgs

• 1529
- French defeated at Battle of Landriano
- Treaty of Cambrai signed
- Wolsey falls from power

Question 2

Describe the shift in leadership in France during Henry VIII’s reign

Answer 2

• 1515
• Louis XII dies
• Francis I replaces him

Question 3

Describe the shift in leadership of the Holy Roman Empire during Henry VIII’s reign

Answer 3

• 1519
• Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I dies
• Holy Roman Emperor Charles V replaces him

Question 4

How did Francis I alarm Henry after he ascended into power?

Answer 4

• Francis immediately invades northern Italy and recaptures Milan from the Habsburgs

Question 5

Why did Charles V’s power alarm Henry?

Answer 5

• 1516 – Ferdinand of Aragon dies, so Charles V becomes King of Spain
• Adds to titles of Duke of Burgundy and Holy Roman Emperor (from 1519)

Question 6

What role did Henry VIII try to play in Europe?

Answer 6

• Peacemaker

Question 7

What treaty did Wolsey create to make England a peacemaker? When was it created?

Answer 7

• Treaty of London
• 1518

Question 8

What was the Treaty of London?

Answer 8

• 1518
• Pope Leo X called for crusade on Ottoman power
• Treaty meant European powers wouldn’t fight with each other
• Signed by 20 countries

Question 9

What was the significance of the Treaty of London?

Answer 9

• Surge in England’s reputations
• Brought England out of isolation and placed it at the centre of European diplomacy
• Short-lived

Question 10

Why was the Treaty of London short-lived?

Answer 10

• 1519 – Charles V becomes Holy Roman Emperor
• France felt encircled by Charles’ territory
• Holy Roman Emperor always laid claim to Italy but Francis I had invaded Milan

Question 11

When was the Field of the Cloth of Gold?

Answer 11

• June 1520

Question 12

Describe what the Field of the Cloth of Gold was and its significance

Answer 12

• Meeting between Francis I and Henry in France
• Involved lavish pavilions and entertainment
• No real diplomatic achievements made

Question 13

How did England try to be a peacemaker in 1520?

Answer 13

• Met with both Francis I and Charles V
- Field of the Cloth of Gold with France
- Met with Charles V twice

Question 14

Who does Henry side with in 1522 and why?

Answer 14

• Sides with Charles V (Spain and HRE)
• Charles V was Catherine of Aragon’s nephew
• Henry wants to gain territory in France

Question 15

When does Henry VIII invade France? How successful was the invasion?

Answer 15

• 1522 and 1523
• Unsuccessful
• 1522 – Surrey led failed invasion of Calais

Question 16

At what battle does Charles V capture Francis I? When did this happen?

Answer 16

• Battle of Pavia
• 1525

Question 17

What does Henry ask Charles V following the Battle of Pavia and how does Charles V respond?

Answer 17

• Henry asks for France to be divided into a Spanish and English zone
• Charles V refuses

Question 18

How does Henry respond to the aftermath of the Battle of Pavia?

Answer 18

• 1527
• Treaty of Amiens
• Anti-Imperial alliance with France

Question 19

Why does Henry side with France in 1527?

Answer 19

• 1525 – Charles V refuses to split France with England after Battle of Pavia
• Charles V opposed Henry’s divorce with Catherine of Aragon (his aunt)
• Charles V had influence over Pope

Question 20

When does Henry and France declare war with Charles V?

Answer 20

• 1528

Question 21

What was the outcome of the English and French war against Charles V?

Answer 21

• 1529
• Charles V defeated French at Battle of Landriano
• Charles V and Francis I makes peace through Treaty of Cambrai
• England included in treaty last minute