Henry VII: Foreign Policy - France Flashcards

1
Q

What was France like during Henry VII’s reign?

A
  • The kingdom of France was ruled by Charles VIII (then Louis XII from 1508), a member of the house of Valois
  • The French monarch was the strongest power in Europe and he used that power to annexe other provinces including Brittany, Navarre and Burgundy
  • This brought France into conflict with many European countries
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2
Q

Why did Henry VII have a conflict of interests with France?

A
  • France wanted to annexe the semi-independent state Brittany
  • But, Henry VII owed the Duke of Brittany a debt of loyalty for the shelter he had received from 1471 to 1484
  • Charles VIII also sheltered Tudor in exile
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3
Q

What would happen if France annexed Brittany?

A
  • Additional territory meant that the King of France would be wealthier, therefore reducing the likelihood that the King of England could lay legitimate claim to the throne of France
  • French expansion also raised security issues to the English south coast, and particularly threatened England’s last continental possession, Calais
  • French presence in Brittany might also threaten English trade in the English Channel
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4
Q

Breton Crisis

A
  • In 1487, the French regent declared the plan for Charles VIII to marry Anne of Brittany
  • In 1489, the Treaty of Redon was signed between Brittany and England. England promised to protect Brittany and Anne would cover the costs of the 3,000 strong English army
  • In 1491, France took control of Brittany when Charles VIII married Anne. Henry reasserted his ancient claim to France and besieged Boulogne with 12,000 troops
  • In 1492, the Treaty of Etaples was negotiated, with the following terms:
    1 The French would pay an annual pension of 50,000 crowns (£5,000), as agreed in 1495.
    2 Charles VIII would not support any imposters
    3 Henry would withdraw his English troops from Brittany
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5
Q

Why did France agree to the Treaty of Etaples?

A
  • France wanted a war in the lucrative Italian peninsular, and would be disinclined to waste revenue on a conflict with England
  • So, the short siege of Boulogne ended with the Treaty of Etaples
  • Henry had asserted his strength, avoided a major campaign, and secured his international reputation
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6
Q

What were the positive outcomes of the Breton Crisis and the Treaty of Etaples?

A
  • Henry had asserted his strength and secured his international reputation
  • English-French relationship not destroyed
  • Despite being vulnerable at home, Henry had cleverly intervened abroad
  • Short war - England not humiliated and death rate/economic cost not high
  • Treaty of Etaples meant England gained financially and made Warbeck less of a threat
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7
Q

What were the negative outcomes of the Breton Crisis and the Treaty of Etaples?

A
  • English didn’t win any major battles in Brittany
  • South coast of England, Calais, and trade were still threatened as the French remained in control of Brittany
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8
Q

What were Anglo-French relations like for the remainder of Henry VII’s reign?

A
  • Over the next two decades, Anglo-French relations were relatively good
  • Although they deteriorated again after 1508 when France was drawn into a closer alliance with Spain by creating the League of Cambrai
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