HOW SUCCESSFUL WAS HENRY VII IN FULFILLING HIS FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES?

Question 1

Areas of success: Scotland

Answer 1

• historically bad relations
• 1495 - 1496: King James IV offered hospitality to Perkin - encouraged him to cross border with army
• He had received no support from the people of Northumberland
• Henry raised a large army to invade Scotland - taxation rebellion
• 1497: Cornish rebellion shook henry and a truce between England and Scotland at Ayton
• 1498: Anglo-Scottish relations significantly improved / 1499: Warbeck executed - no diplomatic use
• 1503: James was to marry Henry’s daughter Margaret - sanctioned by the Treaty of Perpetual Peace

Question 2

Areas of success: Ireland

Answer 2

• by 1500 established a level of authority with Kildare
• Controlled by local lords: descendants of Anglo - Netherland barons
• English influence was around The Pale / modern day Dublin / Yorkist supporters
• C12th: ‘Lord of Ireland’ = given by Pope to the King of England
• Control through Pale: Edward = lieutenant / Sir Edward Poyings = deputy - success
• 1495: Henry had to amass / deal with Warbeck after war / scots immediately before
• Henry was forced to instate Kildare as deputy
• 1496: Kildare gave up support of futile Yorkist cause and was loyal to Henry

Question 3

Areas of success: Treaty of Medina del Campo: 1489

Answer 3

• Gave international peace + security:
• Mutual protection in the event of attacked + agreed not to harbour rebels of pretenders
• Marriage alliance between Prince Arthur of Wales + Princess Catherine of Aragon

Question 4

Areas of Weakness: Trade embargo

Answer 4

• ended with Intercursus magnus
• Henry imposed a risky trade embargo w. Burgundy in order to ease Warbeck matters
• 1496: Intercursus malus - after Warbeck left in 1495 and brought trade embargo to an end
• Treaty of Winsor included Intercursus Malus // never went into effect at all!
• Ensured English trade merchants in N. had stronger position in trade
• Philip + Maximillian had to hand over Earl of Suffolk

Question 5

Areas of Weakness: Relation with France and Brittany

Answer 5

• Invasion 1487-1489 BUT recovery made under Treaty of Etaples
• 1487: looked like France had gained complete control over Brittany
• 1489: Henry had summoned parliament to grant him e.r. = army against French // Yorkshire rebellion
• Treaty of Rendon: duchess Anne pay for Mary and marriage by proxy to Maximillian
• English army went to Brittany but in fear Anne surrendered and married Charles

Question 6

Areas of Weakness: Treaty of Medina del Campo: 1489 - problems

Answer 6

• Ferdinand proved reluctant to allow the marriage to go ahead - stability threatened = Warbeck
• Death of Arthur -1501 Henry immediately suggested that Catherine should marry second son Henry
• Ferdinand reluctant: had little need for English alliance / marriage required a papal dispensation
• 1504: Henry lost enthusiasm for marriage // death of Isabella weakened Ferdinand

Question 7

Conclusion

Answer 7

• Foreign policy and succession were inextricably linked / marriage alliance to achieve his f.p aims
• Overall did use this effectively to secure his future succession