Henry VII's Foreign Policy

Question 1

What happened in 1487:

Answer 1

Simnel Rebellion - had Irish and Burgundian support

Question 2

What happened in 1488:

Answer 2

Henry suggested a marriage between his eldest son Prince Arthur and Ferdinand and Isabella’s daughter Catherine of Aragon

Question 3

What happened in 1489:

Answer 3

Treaty of Medina del Campo

Treaty made at Redon with Brittany, Bretons promised to pay the cost of 6,000 men Henry agreed to send to them

Question 4

What happened in 1491:

Answer 4

Bretons accepted defeat and the Duchess Anne was married to Charles VIII of France - the end of independence in Brittany

Question 5

What happened in 1492:

Answer 5

Treaty of Etaples was agreed

Question 6

What happened in 1493:

Answer 6

Phillip took over direct rule of Burgundy when Maximillium became Holy Roman Emperor

Question 7

What happened in 1486:

Answer 7

Henry agreed a three year truce with Scotland

Long term treaty with Brittany was signed which involved favourable trade agreements that benefited England

Question 8

Arguments Henry VII’s foreign policy was a success:

Answer 8

Gained international recognition through treaties with Spain, France, Burgundy and Scotland

Effective diplomatic marriages with Spain + Scotland

Financially successful: gained French pension which added 5% to his annual income, avoided the expense of war after 1497 and boosted his customs revenue through trade agreements with France, Spain, Burgundy

H was keen to avoid expensive wars and this was largely achieved

By avoiding war + therefore taxation after 1497 he minimised the danger of rebellions

Set himself realistic objectives, focussing on security rather than glory

Truce of Ayton was the first peace agreement between England and Scotland since 1328 + secured peace for the rest of H’s reign

Treaty of Windsor in 1506 meant he and his heir were fully secure

Question 9

Arguments Henry VII’s foreign policy was not a success:

Answer 9

Failed to cut off Burgundian support for Simnel in 1487, forcing him to fight the Battle of Stoke

Failed to prevent the French takeover of Brittany

Attempts to raise taxes for wars against France + Scotland provoked tax rebellions in Yorkshire in 1489 + Cornwall in 1497

Margaret of Burgundy supported both Warbeck and Suffolk and was a constant threat until her death in 1503

Forced H to impose economically damaging trade embargoes on Burgundy 1493-96 and 1506 to stop support for Warbeck + Suffolk

Had to face a Scottish invasion in 1496 b/c he had failed to prevent support for Warbeck