Henry VIII | Foreign Policy Flashcards
What was Henry VIIIs foreign policy goals ?
How is this different to Henry VII ?
-Military Glory
-Prevent European isolationism
-Territorial gains in Europe
Henry VIIIs foreign policy goals are much more unclear in comparision to Henry VII, who had clear goals, such as peace, free trade and European recpgnition of the dynasty. Whereas throughout Henry VIIs reign, his foreign policy was contradictory and insecure, as he often went back on decisions and struggled to maintain good relations with anyone. This is a significant change from the more calculated Henry VII, and marked a move away from good relations to a drive for militarism and English glory in battle - particularly with the French.
In which year was the Treaty of Etaples first renewed ?
What does this show ?
1510
This dosn’t necesarily show that Henry wanted to maintain good relations, as the intentions behind this may well have been simply to maintain the pension from France, just for Englands gain. This is backed up by the fact in the same year Henry sent Bainbridge to meet with the Pope to discuss the creation of the Holy League.
Throughout his reign, what was Henrys attitude towards France ?
Why is this ?
Aggressive and militaristic
Despite periods of peace, all in all, Hnerys attitude to France is aggressive, due to his drive for miliatry glory and his idolisation of Henry V and his French triumph in the Hundred years war and Agincourt. Henry represents a move back to medievalism, in a period of Renaissnace throughout Europe.
When was the Holy League created ?
How was this done by Henry ?
1510
Henry sent Christopher Bainbridge (Archbishop of York) to persuade Pope Julius II to enter the anti-French alliance
What was the Holy League ?
What are both the postive and negatives of this for Henry ?
An anti-French allaince formed by all European powers other than France themselves, formed to protect one another from French aggression
-Helps establish England as a strong European power, (boost recognition)
-Good cooperation with other powers against France, (boost relations)
-Henry being used by Ferdinand of Aragon and Maximilian I as a tool.
-Highlights England & Henry’s inferiority in regards to European power.
In what year was English troops first sent to France ?
How is this exploited by Ferdinand ? ( and what does this show )
1512
Ferdinand simply used this as a diversion to allow him to conquer Navarre (previously Spanish land). This shows Henry is easily played by the more dominant powers in Europe and despite groups such as the Holy League being formed, each power used allainaces for their own gain often turning on Henry, due to Englands inferioirity.
In what year was “The Battle of the Spurs” ?
And what did this achieve ?
1513
The battle was in truth a minor skirmish that secured the towns of Thérouanne and Tournai, with Historian Elton desribing it as “nothing but a futile sideshow”. Overall showing how the battle was insignificant in reality, and acheived very little however Henry and England treasured this battle and claimed it a significant English triumph over France
Which Alliance kept France and Scottland in mutual protection and good relations ?
Why was this significant for Henry ?
Auld Alliance
This was significant for Hnery, as both of Henrys invasions of France resulted in a consequent invasion from Scottland, who were a threat, due to the land border, offering less security. This ultimately leads to worser relations with Scottland and more finances being spent on conflict overall.
When was the Battle of Flodden ?
What was the outcome of this ?
September 1513
After, James IV crossed into England with a large force, Earl of Surrey hastily assembled a small English force, however the Scottish were defeated by the English. James and most of Scottish nobility were killed, leaving the throne to James V ( a 17 month old ), which overall allowed Henry to claim triumph over a devastated Scottland, further boosting his militaristic character and leading a feeling of English military superiority in general.
What were the consequences of Henrys 1513 militarism ? (5)
Why is this significant ?
-War ruined finances
-Forced to liquidate inherited assets to fund war
-Taxation in Yorkshire caused upset that could have led to revolt
-Etaples pension from France was lost
-Tournai eventually sold back to France on the cheap
This is significant, as only two years into his reign Henry has spent 3m to fund the wars of 1513, causing him to liquidate his inheritance from his father, hike taxation - almost causing revolt and sell the land he had gained in the “Battle of the Spurs”. Making his 1513 militarism catastrophic for England, behind the hype for triumph and victory, both politically and economically.
Why was another French campaign in 1514 cancelled ?
What does this show ?
Ferdinand (Spain) and Maximilian (HRE) making peace with France
This ultimately shows Henrys reliance on other countries in order to have significance, this portrays England as both weak and prey to Spain and HRE, which leads to Englands later isolationsim.
How did Wolsey recover Henrys position in 1514 ? (2)
What does this show ?
-Recovered the Etaples pension with France
-Secured marriage of Mary with King Louis XII of France
Shows how perhaps, during Henrys reign its his Chief ministers, who often govern on behalf of Henry leading to debates about how much control Henry truly had throughout his reign, which is supported by the fact that Henrys ministers often fixed problems that Henry himself had caused - whilst he took the backseat. (KGM for example)
When was the death of Louis XII and the acsension of Francis I
What does this lead to ?
1515
Marys marriage to Louis, ends and Mary returns to England and marries again, which does not help Anglo-French relations, as was intended, contributing to English isolationism.
When was the death of Ferdinand and the ascension of Charles I ?
What did this lead to ?
1516
Before his death, Henry wanted to bolster English relations with Spain, via Ferdinand, however the acsension of Charles, delayed this as Charles first seeked relations with France instead, contributing to English isolationism.
When was the death of Maximilian and the election of Charles V ?
What did this lead to ?
1519
Charles inherits the throne of both Spain and the HRE, becoming undoubtebly the most powerful man in Europe, such dominance, means Henry must seek good relations with him, however England - due to their lower status, is not his priority, so England is neglected as power shifts in Europe, contributing to English isolationism.
Which treaty was signed in 1517, by France, Spain and HRE ?
Why is this significant for Henry ?
The Treaty of Cambrai
This is significant, as the end of a war between all three powers means that there is no baf relations for Henry to manipulate, as he had done in 1513, using a stronger country as backup in a way. With all European powers enjoying good relations, there is no way for England to gain recogniton, which ultimately leads to isolationism.
How did Wolsey solve the issue of English isolationism ?
How did this achieve positive relations ?
The “Treaty of London” (1518)
Pope Leo X who desired a united Christian front against the Ottoman Turks, which Europe and England could do, which bolsters good relations, due to the common interst in protecting their religeon. And a non-aggression pact between England, France, Spain, HRE, and smaller states, allowed England to enjoy peaceful relations, without being dominated by more powerful nations - this was the start of positive relations between France and England.
How were English relations with France improved from 1514-1526 ? (5)
-Return of Tournai to France
-Etaples pension reaffirmed
-French agreed to keep Albany out of Scotland
-France worried about Spain’s power after Charles’ ascension in 1519
-Field of the Cloth of Gold
What was the “Field of the Cloth of Gold” ?
What did this signify ?
Extravagant two-week-event in 1520 between Henry VIII and Francis I,
in France, but close to Calais. Francis professed that his and Henry’s love for each other was “not in their beards but in their hearts”. Hospitality, drinking, eating, socialising took place throughout the event and cost the treasury £15,000 to stage
The whole event signified the power of the two nations once they co-ordinated. The event was seen around Europe as extravagant and a sign of prosperous relations and the end of isolationism.
When was the Treaty of Bruges ?
What was agreed ?
1521
Formal alliance between England, Charles V, and the Vatican State in the Italian Wars, wherein Henry raised suspisions about France, leading to Charles agreeing to supoort Henry militaristicaly. Also a marriage alliance between Charles and Mary was proposed.
What was the aftermath of the Field of the Cloth of Gold ?
Why was this problematic ?
Francis attacked Charles shortly after, so Henry sided with Charles and launched a military invasion France in 1522 and 1523
Parliament was resistant to provide the extraordinary revenue in order to provide the finances for war, and Charles failed to aid in the battle with Henry after it was previously agreed in the Treaty of Bruges that he would support England
What was the Battle of Pavia (1521-1526) ?
What did this demonstrate about Henrys foreign policy ?
A major battle of the Italian Wars wherein Francis I was captured and held captive by Charles, for a time.
England was on the sidelines of this battle, subject to both Charles and Francis, meaning he had no sides to take in the conflict. This was a symbol of further English isolationism and the dominance of Charles in Europe.
How did Charles betray Henry following the Treaty of Bruges ?
What were the impacts of this ?
Henry was put in his place by Charles after he failed to aid Henry in his invasion of France - leaving him stranded and outnumbered. Henry hated Charles even more when he refused to marry Mary, as agreed in the Treaty.
-Intensification of Henrys hatred for Charles
-Severe blow to Wolseys prestige as diplomat
After the destruction of English relations with Charles….
By 1527, how did England try to fight back against Charles ?
-Improving relations with France (Treaty of Amiens)
-Wolsey implemented a trade embargo on Burgundian land
Both Henry and Wolsey understood a pro-French alliance was needed, due to their shared weakness in the face of Charles. The Treaty of Amiens (1527) was an anti-imperial alliance with France which offered mutual protecttion and ended hostility between England and France.
