Henry VIII Foreign Policy Flashcards
What were Henrys 6 foreign policy aims?
- honour and glory
- aggression towards France
- maintaining links to the Netherlands
- peacemaker of Europe
- searching his dynasty
- collecting his pension
Explain Henrys aim of pursing an aggressive policy towards France?
All English kings since Edward III had claimed the French throne and Henry continues this. Francophobia from aristocrats and soldiers was strong.
Explain Henrys foreign policy aim of honour and glory?
Henry had the mindset of medieval nobility, with dreams of honour and glory. Based on chivalric ideals
Why did Henry want to maintain links with the Netherlands
English cloth trade depended on Antwerp cloth market
Explain Henrys foreign policy aim of being peacemaker of Europe?
Under Wolsey, Henry pursues honour through mediating peace
Explains Henrys foreign policy aim of securing his dynasty
Henry tried to marry off members of his family to secure the Tudor line
What treaty from the end of Henry VIIs reign entitled Henry to a French pension?
Treaty of Etaples
Why did Henry want war with France? (5)
- war a kingly duty
- Henry keen for wider acclaim and recognition
- pro war faction in his privy chamber
- genuine belief in England claim on the throne
- marriage link to Spain who also had designs of Spain
Which major powers were in the holy league and what was there original aim?
France, Spain, the Empire and the Papacy brought together by Pope Julius II to attack Venice
When had the holy league ran its cause?
1511
Why did the holy league gang up against France?
Louis XII threatened the independence of the Papal States
When was the battle of the spurs?
1513
When was the battle of Flodden?
1513
The story of the battle of the spurs?
Henry personally led an army of 30,000 across the channel in June 1513
Which towns were captured during the battle of the spurs?
- therouanne
* tournai
What happened the towns captured during the battle of the spurs?
- therouanne given to emperor Maximilian
* tournament was garrisoned by England until 1518
The story of the battle of Flodden?
James IV took advantage of Henry’s absence to launch an invasion. Defeated by Surrey
What were the successes of the battle of Flodden for England?
- removed Scottish threat
- James IV died
- core of Scottish nobility died
- Margaret Tudor regent for infant James V
What was the aim of the treaty of London?
To bind France, the Papacy, Spain, the Empire and England to action against the Ottoman Empire
What did the treaty of London state?
- non aggression between countries
* collective security (any aggressor rounded upon by the other states)
Why was the treaty of London a success? (3)
- prestige to Henrys reign
- ended threat of isolation in Europe
- further French pension in return for Tournai
Why was the Treaty of London not a success?
it was a paper exercise and the treaty was broken very quickly
What aim did the Treaty of London demonstrate and how?
Peacemaker of Europe, Henry, under Wolseys guidence hoped to gain honour through peace
Why would it be impossible for Henry to be peacemakerr of Europe ?
The Habsburg Valios conflict as well as the nobility wanting war. This was out of Henry’s hands
What year of the Treaty of Bruges and what did it state?
1521, Charles V was betrothed to Mary
What battle occured in 1525?
the Battle of Pavia
Evidence of how unreliable allies were responsible for failure (4)
- Henry VIII was let down by Ferdinand in 1511
- Charles V and Charles of Bourbon failed to follow through on promises during second campaign
- Charles V failed to marry Mary
- England was used to balance power in the Italian wars for French and Imperial interests and its own
In what way was Henry responsible for unreliable allies leading to failure?
Henry was guilty of going back and forwards, for example the Field of Cloth of Gold immediently followed by the Treaty of Bruges
The population of England, France and the HRE?
England: 2.75 million
France: 15 million
HRE: 23 million
The revenue pa of England, France and the HRE?
England: £110,000
France: £350,000
HRE: £560,000
An example of Henry’s lack of resources leading to failure?
The 1525 failure of the amicable grant resulting in his inability to exploit the situation after the battle of Pavia
How much did the second french campaign cost?
£400,000
How did unrealistic aims result in failure?
Failed to take into account Englands inferior position and hence set it up to fail
When was Rome sacked and by whom?
1527 by imperial troops
What did the sack of Rome in 1527 mean for Henry?
His divorce case now became a foreign policy issue
What happened to foreign policy during the 1530s?
It essentially dries up with the death of Wolsey and focus on domestic issues
When was Henry crowned king of Ireland?
1541
What was the total cost of Henry VIII’s three french wars?
3.5 million
How much did the French pay Henry in total due to the French Pension?
£730,000
