AS FP1, HVII's Foreign Policy, (1493-1502) Flashcards
(7 cards)
Successful Diplomacy
Why were positive relations important between England and Burgundy?
The Bulk of England’s exports went through the ports of the Netherlands such as Antwerp and Bruges which came under the juridstriction of Burgundy. It was therefore important that positive commercial relations were maintained.
Successful Diplomacy
Why did relations between England and Burgundy deteriorate, how did Henry respond to this?
Margaret of Burgundy, the dowager duchess, was the leading proponent of the Yorkist Cause, she enlisted the help of her step-son Maximillian who became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1493.
Relations deteriorated when Margaret and Maximillian offered their support to Perkin Warbeck, resulting in Henry putting a trade embargo on Burgundy - sacrificing the trading interests of London and East Coast Merchants.
Relations improved only after Warbeck left the country, trading rights were restored by the Magnus Intercursus in 1496.
Example of Henry sacrificing trading interests for dynastic security.
Successful Diplomacy
What and when was the League of Venice?
The League of Venice (1496) was an anti-French league made by the Papacy, Henry joined on the agreement that he wouldn’t go to war with France, thereby maintaining prestige and gaining international recognition without having to get invovled in a foreign entanglement.
Successful Diplomacy
Why did relations with Scotland deteriorate during this period?
In 1495 King James IV, who was extremely anti-English, came to the throne and offered his support to Perkin Warbeck. Warbeck spent 2 years in the Scottish Court where he recieved a pension and married the King’s cousin, Lady Catherine Gordon. Perkin attempted to cross the border with a small force in 1496 however due to a lack of support in Northumberland he retreated.
Successful Diplomacy
How did Henry respond to the attempted Scottish invasion, what did this result in?
Henry responsed to the 1496 invasion by Warbeck by raising an army in 1497 to invade Scotland. However, the taxation led to a rebellion in Cornwall which made it immediately evident that a war wasn’t in Henry’s best interests.
Consequently, Henry signed the Truce of Ayton in 1497 (later the Treaty of Perpetual Peace 1502) that resulted in a marriage alliance between Henry’s daughter, Margaret, and James IV of Scotland ; anglo-scottish relations significantly improved and Warbeck was expelled from Scotland.
Successful Diplomacy
What were relations like with Ireland?
Henry’s power in Ireland only extended as far as The Pale, the area of land which surrounded Dublin ; power instead lay with the Geraldines and the Butlers who Henry had to rely on for keeping the peace.
In 1486 the Earl of Kildare supported Simnel and then Warbeck in 1491, Henry therefore attempted to end his reliance on Kildare.
Successful Diplomacy
How did Henry attempt to end his reliance on the Earl of Kildare, what did this result in?
Henry attempted to end his reliance on the Earl of Kildare by introducing the ‘Poynings Law’ in 1495, which imposed English law in Ireland - Poynings was initially successful in establishing Royal Authority through threat and bribery. However, this quickly became too expensive and Henry was forced to withdraw.
By 1496, Kildare decided that there was no longer any point in supporting the Yorkist cause and was loyal to Henry. By agreeing to work alongside Kildare Hnery had achieved a degree of peace and cheap authority over Ireland by 1500.
