Henry VIII - Foreign Policy

Question 1

Relations with France:

Answer 1

• 1512 - Henry led an army against France but returned the soldiers to England.
• 1513 - Wolsey organised a second successful expedition which led to the ‘Battle of the Spurs’ and capture of Therouanne and Tournai.
• 1514 - a peace treaty was settled.
• 1544 – Henry sailed with 48,000 troops to Calais, capturing Boulogne and signing a peace treaty with Francis I.
• 1545 - Francis threatened invasion, which failed due to adverse winds and lack of a base in England (led to fortification of the south of England)
• 1446 – led to an Anglo-French treaty – The Treaty of Andres
• The war cost $2 million, resulting in large-scale borrowing, debasement, inflation, and debt for Henry’s successors.

Question 2

Relations with Scotland:

Answer 2

• 1512 - Scotland formed the Auld alliance with France, leading James IV of Scotland to invade North-East England to divert English troops from France.
• 1513 - The battle of Flodden marked the last large-scale medieval battle in England, resulting in a decisive victory for England.
• Henry’s northern border security was threatened by Scotland and France’s close relations (marriage allience between James V and Mary of Guise, relative of Francis I)
• 1542 - Henry sent in the Duke of Norfolk to attack the Scots, leading to victory at Solway-Moss.
• July 1543 - The treaty of Greenwich proposed a marriage of Edward VI to Mary Queen of Scots, but the treaty collapsed, leading to the Scots’ war renewal.
• 1547 - Henry’s death prevented Scotland and France from combining forces against him, but at great cost.

Question 3

What was the aftermath of the battle of Flodden (1513)?

Answer 3

• Scotland was significantly weaker with the defeat and death of King James IV.
• A committee was set up to rule in the name of James’ wife Margaret Tudor and their infant son.
• Scotland was now ruled by Henry’s sister, a close ally - Scotland no longer a threat.

Question 4

Relationship with the Papacy:

Answer 4

• 1521 - Henry awarded ‘Defender of the Faith’ by Pope Leo X
• 1538 - Henry excommunicated by the Pope
• Relations decayed through Cromwell’s organisation of the reformation

Question 5

Relations with the Holy Roman Empire:

Answer 5

• 1531 - North Germany’s princes formed the League of Schmalkalden to preserve independence from Charles V.
• Despite Cromwell’s flirtation with the league, no formal arrangements were made.
• France was the natural ally in the 1530s, but no formal arrangements were made.

Question 6

H-F treaty

How did the threat to England’s safety worsen in 1538?

Answer 6

• 1538 - The Truce of Nice was signed between the Habsburgs and the French which led to fears of an invasion of England.
• June 1539 - Henry published the 6 articles (reinstated some strong Catholic doctrines as a form of appeasement)

Question 7

The Treaty of London, October 1518:

Answer 7

• Over 2 dozen countries signed the treaty which committed them to avoid war or risk being attacked by the other signatories.
• A crude balance of power could be established across western Europe which would aim to prevent conflicts.

Question 8

The Feild of Cloth of Gold, June 7th-24th, 1520:

Answer 8

• The meeting aimed to increase the bond of friendship between Francis I and Henry VIII.
• The event cost both kings £1.5 million.
• The meeting did little to aid relations, which were worsened after Wolsey made an alliance with Charles V, who declared war on France later that year.
• Failure - within 2 years England and France were once again at war.

Question 9

anglo-french

Treaty of Amiens, 1527:

Answer 9

Attempts at better Anglo-French relations that dissolved later on in the period

Question 10

spanish-french

Treaty of Cambrai, 1529:

Answer 10

Treaty between the French and the Spanish with France coming out with poor terms

Question 11

Marriage Alliance with Anne of Cleeves, 1540:

Answer 11

• Cromwell arranged for Henry to marry Anne of Cleeves, but this lead to divorce in 1540.
• The Habsburg-Valois war resumed and France’s invasion seemed unlikely.

Question 12

anglo-scottish

Treaty of Greenwich, July 1543:

Answer 12

• made proposals to strengthen English power by the marriage of his son Edward to Mary, Queen of Scots.
• The treaty collapsed which led to the Rough Wooing (led by Seymour)

Question 13

anglo-french

The Treaty of Andres, 1546:

Answer 13

• Allowed Henry to stay in control of Boulogne
• France promised a renewal of pension money and the return of Boulogne to French control by 1554 (Henry thought this was unlikely).