Henry VIII foreign policy Flashcards
(33 cards)
What were Henry VIII’s foreign policy aims?
- From 1509 - 27, he wanted to gain international recognition
- From 1526 - 40, he wanted to improve foreign relations to Enable his divorce from Catherine of Aragon as it was the centre of government
- From 1540 - 47, He wanted to gain land from France to Expand his English empire
What happened in 1510?
- The councillors wanted to continue peace
- The treaty of Etaples was still maintained
- Christopher Bainbridge, archbishop of York was sent to Rome to persuade the pope to a holy league with England, Spain, the holy roman empire, Venice and the papacy against France
What was the first invasion of France like in 1512?
- Under the command of the marquis of Dorset, 10,000 men were sent to the south of France
- Ferdinand used Henry’s men as a diversionary tactic so he could gain Navarre
- Henry gained nothing as a result, he lost the French pension
What was the second invasion of France in 1513 like?
- He invaded the town of Therouanne leading to the battle of Spurs in august 1513 which Henry won highlighting him as a warrior king
- Therouanne was recaptured by France in late august and Tournai was captured in September
What happened at the battle of Flodden in September 1513?
- James crossed the English border with a large army due to the auld alliance but he defeated by a smaller English army led by the Earl of Surrey
- James IV and 10,000 people, including many nobles were killed
- The battle was expensive with little military gain and almost led to local uprisings
What happened in 1514?
- There was campaign to invade France but it was abandoned after Ferdinand and Maximillian signed peace treaties
- Wolsey renegotiated the French pension and created a marriage alliance between his sister, Mary and Louis
Why was the 1517 treaty of Cambrai worrying for Henry VIII?
England was isolated as it was a treaty between France, Spain and the Holy roman empire
Why was the duke of Albany a threat?
- He was heir presumptive to the Scottish throne and a member of the French nobility
- When he was regent for James V, many accused him of being a French agent
What was the treaty of London 1518?
It was originally a peace treaty between England and France but the pope saw the treaty as a way to create a united front against the Ottoman Turks. In the end, Spain, the Holy roman empire and numerous smaller states signed the treaty as well. This strengthened Wolsey’s position as a papal legate, foreign relations especially with France as Henry regained Tournai and the French pension and gave Henry international recognition
What changes were made to European thrones by 1520?
-Louis XII dies in 1515 and Francis I ascended him claiming he was Henry VIII’s personal rival
- James IV died in 1513 leaving a minor James V
- Ferdinand of Spain died in 1516 leaving the throne to his grandson, Charles I
- Charles also became Charles V of the holy roman empire when his grandfather Maximillian died in 1519
- Burgundy was to the Hapsburgs from 1477 with areas like Antwerp so Charles controlled the area
What was the field of the cloth of gold?
- It was a meeting between England and France in Calais for more than 2 weeks in June 1520
-Each king set up a base in a lavish pavilion for entertaining and dining - There was a wrestling match between Henry and Francis which Henry lost
- It cost the royal treasury £15,000
- It was used to show union and friendship in a diplomatic move rather than achieving anything
Why did Henry side with Charles?
- He could improve his relations with the pope, who was anxious to reduce French control over Northern Italy
- He believed he could gain more territory in France
- Part of the deal was a marriage alliance between Charles and Princess Mary
- He was also Catherine of Aragon’s nephew
What happened in 1522 and 23?
English armies invaded Northern France but they gained little and they were costly so parliament was reluctant to give extraordinary revenue
What happened at the battle of Pavia 1525?
It was the most significant battle in the Italian wars (1494 - 1559) for control over Milan after France won it at Marignano. Francis was captured by Charles V ensuring Spanish supremacy in Italy
How did the battle of Pavia negatively affect Henry?
- He suggested a joint invasion of France to gain territory but Charles and the public declined it (after the amicable grant)
- His plan was to end French independence and split the land between England and Spain
- Henry’s ego was bruised
- Charles no longer wanted to marry Mary
- Wolsey’s domestic prestige never recovered as he couldn’t resolve the situation
What happened in 1526?
Henry was in a pro - French foreign policy. He encouraged the league of Cognac between France, the pope, Venice and Florence to reduce Charles’ power in Northern Italy
How was England’s lack of power emphasised?
Through the inability to gain the divorce diplomatically
What events happened between Spain and France until 1538?
- An anti - imperial treaty of Amiens was signed between England and France in 1527
- Charles was victorious at the battle of Ladriano increasing his control over the pope and the Italian peninsula
- In 1532, Henry tried to create a French alliance but it was weak in comparison to Charles’ power
- The alliance was further weakened as Francis wanted a marriage between his son, Henry and the pope’s niece Catherine De Medici
How did Henry pressure Charles?
By imposing a trade embargo with Burgundy but Henry had to back down due to increases unemployment and social problems in England
How did the peace of Cambrai in 1529 make the divorce more unlikely?
- France gave up ambitions in Northern Italy so Charles had full control over the pope
- He fuelled the pope against the divorce because of his family dedication to Catherine of Aragon
Why were there no repercussions after the divorce?
Charles was more concerned with the threat of the Ottoman Turks
How did Henry’s position become weaker after 1538?
- Charles and Francis signed the treaty of Nice in July 1538 where they would cut connections to England
- Pope Paul III published a bull (a formal letter) meaning Catholics didn’t obey Henry
- The pope sent envoys to France and Scotland to rouse support for a Catholic crusade against Henry
Was the treaty of Nice successful?
No as Charles and Francis didn’t trust one another and fighting resumed
What were the league of Schmalkalden and what were Henry’s actions with them?
- An organisation of German princes and free cities who supported Luther’s reforms
- They formed an alliance
- Henry married Anne of Cleves
