Henry Viii’s Foreign Policy Flashcards
What were Henry’s foreign policy aims?
Seen as a glorious warrior king
Undermine his rivals France
Keep Scotland under control
Establish a meaningful role for England in Europe
Succession- ensure his dynasty is preserved
What did Henry renew in 1510?
The treaty of etaples
What league did he join and what does it suggest about his relationships with France?
League of cambrai, he wanted a European presence, show his strength abroad and so revived hostilities with France , u turn of treaty of etaples
What league did he join against France in 1511?
Holy league
Establish England’s position abroad and recognition to other powerful leaders like Francis i and Charles v- match ambition by siding with them
Who organised a second expedition in France in 1513
Thomas Wolsey and the Duke of Buckingham
Failures of the 1st french expedition
Sent 10,000 men to sw of France but Ferdinand of Spain failed to support England , many diseases such as disentry left soldiers demoralised, tarnished their reputation-embarrasment
What new territory was gained at the battle of spurs 1513?
Tournai and therouanne, but tornai was sold back to France and theroanne was returned to maxmillin
Soft targets with no geographica significance to England and were strategic for France and Spain.
Battle of spurs as proganda
Propaganstic victory in England which showed how fast the french troops retreated, bolstered his image as a successful and skilled king
Battle of Flodden 1513
During the league of cambrai, Scotland resumed its auld alliance with France and James iv led an army to invade the north east of England -threat to national security. With Henry in France, Catherine of Aragon was regent.
Scottish lost 10000 men including king James iv, Scotland was immeasurably weaker as a result of the defeat and James v was an infant. However, was very costly and had to be paid with the inherited money from his father who he so painstakingly saved for him.
Long term relationships
How successful were they?
Henry viii had failed to achieve his primary goal, which was to to recover the french empire that had been conquered by Henry v. This aim was unrealistic- his high hopes were naive, given that his resources were tiny compared to France. His FP was often incoherent thus allowing king Ferdinand of Aragon and emperor maxmillian to manipulate him. In short Henry and Wolsey’s FP was unaccomplished, anachronistic ,naive and aimless
However, increased international presence and England as the centre of international affairs, warrior king
