Henrys foreign policy

Question 1

What was Henry’s foreign policy dictated by?

Answer 1

His domestic situation.

Question 2

Foreign policy aims-Promotion of trade

Answer 2

• 1485 navigation act, no English merchants were to use foreign ships to transport goods if an English ship was available-this boosted English shipping.
• in 1489, the export of English raw wool was limited.
• in 1496- Henry signed the Magnus intercursus, an important trade deal with Brittany

Question 3

Scotland

Answer 3

• truce with Scotland made in 1486
• summer 1495-perkin Warbeck was welcomed by king James IV, and given £1200 p/a pension and marriage to James cousin
• 1497-James and Warbeck invaded England. Resulted in a treaty signed known as the truce of Ayton, which became the treaty of perpetual peace in 1502
• 1503-marriage alliance between Henrys daughter Margaret and James IV.

Question 4

France

Answer 4

• 1489, signed Treaty of Redon with Brittany. Wanted to protect Brittany against France.
• France took control of Brittany, Henry didn’t like this- this was known as the Breton crisis.
• Treaty of Etaples (1492) ended the Breton crisis. Gave Henry annual income and guarantee that France wouldn’t aid any English rebels.
• 1496, Henry joined the holy league, an alliance of France’s rivals in the continuing Italian wars. England remained neutral in the fighting.

Question 5

Spain

Answer 5

-Medina del Campo treaty signed between England and Spain agreeing that:
>Spain and England wouldn’t make treaties with France without sounding the other first
>would be equal trading rights for each others merchants
>Prince Arthur would marry Catherine of Aragon to cement the alliance.
>marriage took place by proxy in 1499 and for real in 1501.

Question 6

Burgundy

Answer 6

-Burgundy was part of the Holy Roman Empire
-Richard III’s sister, Margaret of Burgundy, hated Henry and was very influential in Burgundy. She had been married to its previous Duke.
>She also supported Warbeck until 1496, when Henry signed the Magnus Intercursus with Phillip, Duke of Burgundy.

Question 7

Foreign policy aims-securing alliances

Answer 7

• towards the end of his reign he focused on securing alliances with international powers through marriages.
• establishing alliances was necessitated by the death of queen Isabella of Spain in 1504
• henry was often forced to react in international circumstances

Question 8

marriage alliances- a secure dynasty

Answer 8

• marriage alliance to Elizabeth of York produced a heir, Prince Arthur as well as a spare, Henry.
• Arthur was betrothed to Catherine of Aragon in 1489 and married in 1501, their children would secure the dynasty
• henrys daughter Margaret married James VI of Scotland in 1503, an alliance to make the Northern boarder more secure.
• His other surviving daughter, Mary, was betrothed to Charles of Burgundy in 1507, but the marriage was called off in 1513.

Question 9

Arthurs death

Answer 9

• 1502- Arthur died. Broke the marriage alliance with Spain, leaving the only male heir, Prince Henry.
• Henry could marry Catherine but needed the Popes permission as they were sister and brother in law.

Question 10

Isabelle of Castile’s death

Answer 10

• after her death in 1504, Spain’s future was uncertain so henry looked for a better match for prince henry. but refused to let Catherine of Aragon or her dowry return to Spain.
• relations between Spain and England soured in 1504-09.
• Was a state of affairs when Henry VII died in 1509