Henry Viii’s Foreign Policy Flashcards
What were Henry’s foreign policy aims?
Seen as a glorious warrior king
Undermine his rivals France, secure the french crown which he regarded to be his birthright
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
How was Henry 8 FP approach in FP different from his father’s?
He came to the throne desiring glory in war against France, aggressive and uncompromising approach like his great grandfather Henry v who had won 2 successful campaigns in France, making him a paragon of wartime ruthlessness. His father’s reign had been limited to diplomatic manoeuvres and Henry wanted to flex some muscle and put the codes of chivalry into action. He wanted an active role in Europe against France, however, England was neither a powerful or influential country at that time
What happened in 1512 that was successful in terms of the holy league?
The pope changed direction and reformed the holy league with England, Venice and Spain to drive France out of Italy. Henry was able to persuade the great council that war was needed in order to defend the liberties of the Catholic Church , was able to capitalise on this and undermine his rival France, battle of spurs
What was Henry’s Fp aims during the middle of his reign?
England gains prestige- being placed at the centre of international relations
Henry gains status n prestige- plays role as an arbiter, ends English diplomatic isolation and Henry’s daughter betrothed to the french heir
Wolsey’s FP aims
England gains prestige- being placed at the centre of international affairs
Humanistic peace- guaranteed peace between major powers of Europe
Closer to papacy - gained reputation as the architect of peace in Europe and became papal legate later
Who died and ascended t the throne in 1515?
King Louis XII of France, leaving his 21 year old son king Francis I to ascend
Who died in 1516 and who ascended to the throne?
Ferdinand of Aragon, leaving his 16 yr old grandson, Charles v to ascend
Why did the other monarch’s similar age led to Henry feeling more competitive?
Compete personally with Henry to be the centre of attention, boisterous and personal rivalry based on the codes of chivalry and renaissance prince that these monarchs had been brought up by
What peace treaties led to Henry feeling universally excluded from international affairs and England vulnerable to full scale attacks from combined powers?
Treaty of noyon 1516 between Spain and France.
Treaty of cambrai to resolve issues at the league of cambrai in 1517 where maximilllian I [ HRE]made peace with France
What did wolseys survival as chief minister depended on ?
Building Henry’s reputation despite the fact that England could not compete in size or wealth
The treaty of London 1518-1521
A settlement of universal peace and collective security in response to pope Leo X calling for a general crusade against the Muslim Ottoman Empire whose powers were growing in the balkans.- organised by Wolsey. All 24 countries had to sign a treaty separately with England= diplomatic triumph, prestige and made Henry the main orchestrator and player in Europe= centre of European politics.
Evaluation of the treaty of London ?
Success:
Wolsey achieved diplomatic success, gave prestige n recognition to England, ended the threat of isolation in Europe for engaged.
Wolsey was promoted as papal legate and was influential in the peace keeping of europe. Discovers Wolsey.
Henry status, fame and prestige was enhanced.
Gained land of importance [impact]
Recognised Henry’s claim to the French throne
Failure:
Not long lasting as future conflicts undermined the importance.
1519, Maximilian I died and Charles was officially elected as the holy roman emperor- now ruler of the Netherlands, the Habsburg, king of Spain n HRE- he wished to pursue his imperial claim to control Milan, currently under French control- intensified Habsburg- Valois rivalry.
Field of cloth of gold 1520
Henry viii met Francis I near Calais for a majestic European festival. Series of tournaments and events included a tilt yard for jousting to show how athletic he was. 2 weeks of courtly activities n feasting
Temporarily put England into European diplomatic pic but it only paused the rivalries between Charles and Francis in Italy- universal peace dissolved in 1521. Repercussions = futile bc conflicts flared once more
Treaty of Bruges 1521
Secret treaty alliance with Charles of Spain against France- still wanted territorial advancements in France.
1525 battle of pavia Henry wanted to join Charles so Wolsey was tasked with levying the amicable grant in order to fund this war. However, Charles refused to ally with him and led to the league of cognac in 1526 with France, the pope, Venice and Florence for an anti- Habsburg alliance
Henrys open mindset to alliances examples?
Renewal of the treaty of etaples in 1510, league of cambrai and joining the holy league in 1511, treaty of Bruges 1521, league of cognac 1526
Was deployed and warranted to the changing context of European affair, to strategically place Henry a the centre of affairs and recognition. Match personal rivalry with other monarchs- warrior king.
But these frequent shifts might as well indicate opportunism than strategic flexibility.
