henrys foreign policies Flashcards
What is suzerainty?
The feudal control of one territory by another.
What event in 1487 alarmed Henry VII?
An invasion that suggested the French would gain complete control of Brittany.
What did Henry VII do in 1489 regarding the French threat?
He summoned parliament to grant him extraordinary revenue to raise an army against the French.
What were the two main reasons for Henry VII’s actions regarding Brittany?
His sense of obligation to the Bretons and his fear of increased French threat to England.
What is a fiefdom?
An area over which feudal overlordship is exercised.
Who ruled Brittany before the French threat?
Duke Francis II.
Who was the only heir to Duke Francis II?
His daughter, Duchess Anne.
What was the significance of Duchess Anne’s gender?
She could not rule Brittany as her father did because she was born a woman in a time when women could not rule.
What was the Treaty of Redon?
An agreement in February 1489 where Duchess Anne would pay for a small English army to defend Brittany from the French threat.
Who did Henry VII seek to ally with to strengthen his position?
Maximilian, the Holy Roman Emperor-elect.
What is marriage-by-proxy?
One or both of the individuals being united is not physically present, usually being represented instead by another person.
Who was Charles VIII?
King of France from 1483 to 1498, concerned with asserting his claim to the throne of Naples.
How did Charles VIII’s ambitions affect Henry VII?
His focus on Naples reduced any potential threat from Charles to Henry VII.
What country did England share a border with?
Scotland was the only country with which England shared a border.
What was the nature of cross-border lawlessness in Scotland?
Cross-border lawlessness was a way of life in Scotland.
What alliance did Scotland have with France?
Scotland often worked closely with France as part of the ‘auld alliance’, which was explicitly anti-English.
What was France’s goal regarding duchies like Brittany and Burgundy?
France was seeking to bring duchies like Brittany and Burgundy more directly under the control of the French Crown.
What historical conflict characterized the relationship between France and England?
France and England shared a long-standing hostility which included the Hundred Years War, 1337-1453.
What was the status of Ireland during this time?
Ireland was an anomaly with no separate Irish state.
Who was granted the title of ‘Lord of Ireland’?
The title of ‘Lord of Ireland’ had been granted by the Pope to the King of England in the twelfth century.
What was the Holy Roman Empire?
The Holy Roman Empire was a loose federation of about 300 states, mostly situated in what is now Germany.
How was the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire chosen?
The emperor was elected, though by the later fifteenth century, the elected emperor was always a member of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty.
Who was elected emperor in 1486?
Maximilian I was elected in 1486 and became emperor in 1493.
What happened to the Duchy of Burgundy after the death of Duke Charles the Bold?
The medieval power of the Duchy of Burgundy had been broken, and the lands of the duchy proper had been resumed by the French Crown.
Who inherited the title of Duke of Burgundy after Charles the Bold?
The title of Duke of Burgundy would pass to Maximilian, Holy Roman Emperor.
What was the significance of the marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile?
The marriage helped to bring the two kingdoms together, giving them a façade of unity.
What effect did Isabella’s death in 1504 have on Ferdinand?
Isabella’s death weakened the perception of unity and led to Ferdinand being involved in conflict to reassert his control over Castile.
How did Ferdinand’s conflicts affect Henry VII’s foreign policy?
Ferdinand’s conflicts would have a significant effect on Henry VII’s foreign policy.
Who ruled over Spain during Henry’s time?
Ferdinand and Isabella ruled over Spain.
What was the Treaty of Medina del Campo?
The Treaty of Medina del Campo, signed in 1489, was an agreement that provided mutual protection between Spain and England, and arranged a marriage alliance between Arthur and Catherine.
What were the key points of the Treaty of Medina del Campo?
The treaty included mutual protection in case of attack, an agreement not to harbour rebels, and a marriage alliance between Arthur and Catherine.
What problems arose during the implementation of the Treaty of Medina del Campo?
Problems included difficulties in arranging the royal marriage, Ferdinand’s reluctance due to Henry’s dynastic threats, and disputes over Catherine’s dowry.
When was the marriage between Arthur and Catherine finally agreed upon?
The marriage details were agreed in 1499 and took place in 1501.
What complications arose after Arthur’s death?
After Arthur’s death in 1502, Henry suggested Catherine marry Prince Henry, but Ferdinand was reluctant, and Henry lost interest after Isabella’s death.
What was the outcome of the succession struggle in Spain?
Henry supported Juana in the succession struggle against Ferdinand after Isabella’s death.
