Vulnerability of Henry's position 1485 Flashcards
What evidence was there that Brittany was a threat to England in 1485?
Supporting the Duchy against a French invasion might antagoinse the French
If the French took Brittany, all of the Channel coast would be in the hands of England’s traditional enemy
What evidence was there that Brittany was not a threat?
Had provided Henry with refuge whn he had fled England in 1471
Overall, was Brittany a threat to England?
Not a threat in itself, as too weak and had supported Henry anyway.
However, if it was invaded by the French and called on England for support, could cause a major threat to English national security, both in the conflict and with French rule on England’s doorstep
What evidence was there that France was a threat to England in 1485?
- Threat of invasion if invaded Brittany - would control Channel coast
- Had financed Henry in 1485 to aid his claim - risk of antagonising
- Had largest and most professional standing army in Europe
- Traditional enemy of England from 100 years war
- Auld Alliance - meant England would be invaded from North by Scotland if antagonised French
What evidence was there that France was not a threat to England in 1485?
Had given Henry financial aid in his invasion 1485
Did not see England as very important - not a threat and Spain causing more trouble
Overall was France a threat to England in 1485?
Largest potential threat England faced, given its strength, alliance with Scotland, proximity and history of English hatred.
However England not its priority, and on relatively friendly terms, so unlikely to launch a full-scale invasion
What evidence was there that Scotland was a threat to England in 1485?
Auld Alliance - England risked being attacked on two flanks
Common border rades - forced England to keep expensive border garrisons at Barwick and Carlisle
What evidence was there that Scotland was not a threat to England in 1485?
Much smaller population
Much smaller income
Overall was Scotland a threat to England in 1485?
A continuous nuisance, with border rades expensive and irksome for England, and also more serious threat of provoking French invasion.
Overall an overhanging but not terrible threat
What evidence was there that Spain was a threat to England in 1485?
They were the new power in Europe after Isabella of Castile had wed Ferdinand of Aragon to create MEGA SPAIN hungry for land
What evidence was there that Spain was not a threat to England in 1485?
Had other priorities:
- Driving Moors out of Granada (achieved in 1492)
- Secure northern border with France by retaking land
- Secure claim of Ferdinand in Naples
Might even have seen England as a useful ally against France
Overall was Spain a threat to England in 1485?
No - more interested in making an alliance than starting any kind of conflict
(England was just not that important…)
What evidence was there that Burgundy was a threat to England in 1485?
Duke of Burgundy married to Margaret of York
- Housed Yorkist claimants and supporters
- Cloth trade with Burgundy made action against this more difficult
What evidence was there that Burgundy was not a threat to England in 1485?
Both sides keen to keep lucrative cloth trade going - most important area for trade for England
Overall was Burgundy a threat to England in 1485?
Country itself was not very interested or able to cause harm to Henry - in fact more friendly because of trade - however aiding Yorkist threat was very dangerous for Henry.
On the one hand cloth trade meant Henry could not take much action against this threat, on the other it prevented Burgundy taking action against him
