Why was Henry VIl able to avoid conflict with Scotland? Flashcards
Scotland
Scotland was a traditional enemy and the northern border was a regular
area of conflict and raids. Edward IV had seized the border towns of
Berwick and Dunbar, which the Scots were determined to win back and
this increased the possibility of hostility between the two countries
The Auld alliance and its consequences
between France and Scotland, first signed in
1295, increased the danger on the border as England could face an attack
on two fronts. Support from France for Scotland was also vital because
Scotland was financially much weaker than England and also had a much
smaller population
Approach to Scotland
wanted to avoid conflict, particularly in his
early years, when his major concern was gaining support at home and
establishing the dynasty
How was H fortunate with Scotland
more
favourably inclined towards him than Richard III, who had supported
raids into Scotland, and this, along with Henry’s desire and need for peace,
resulted in a three-year truce being signed in July 1486. The assassination
of James Ill after the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488, fought against
rebellious Scottish nobles, made conflict between the two nations less
likely because James’ son, James IV, was only fifteen years old; because of
his age, and therefore his inability to lead an army, he was far less likely
to wage war against Henry
How was H less fortunate with Scotland
the regents ruling Scotland were less
friendly towards Henry and the situation was more precarious because
Henry’s support for Brittany against France encouraged relations between
France and Scotland to tighten
How did H try to lessen the hostility with Scotland
maintained contacts at the Scottish court with the Scottish nobility, led by
the Earl of Angus, who favoured better relations with England. Meanwhile,
Henry gave shelter to those Scottish nobles who had been ousted from
power and in 1492 aided the successful attempts to overthrow the anti-
English regents. The coup brought the pro-English Earl of Angus back to
power and resulted in the signing of a nine-year truce between the two
countries in 1493
Why was the nine-year truce achievement short-lived
as James IV came
of age in 1495 and wanted to assert himself by going to war against
the traditional enemy. James’ desire for war was aided by the arrival in
Scotland of Perkin Warbeck in July 1495
He was givena royal welcome by James, was married to his cousin, Lady Catherine
Gordon, and given military support for an invasion of England in
September 1496
How big of a threat was Perkin Warbeck in regards to Scottish relation
Although Scottish support for Warbeck increased his
threat, the invasion was a fiasco as he received no support in England,
and James realised that Warbeck was of limited value to him. Moreover,
England was now free from other foreign policy difficulties and James was
concerned that the English parliament had voted funds for an attack on
Scotland. He was fearful that if such an attack took place it would be very
damaging for Scotland
Why did James do as a result of his fear of an English attack
did not use the Cornish rising
as an opportunity to launch a further attack on England.
Instead, when Henry offered terms on which a treaty could be based James
was willing to take them up. This, and the departure of Warbeck, resulted
in the Truce of Ayton being signed in 1497 and with Warbeck’s execution
in 1499 it became a full treaty
Why was the Peace of Aton a significant achievement for Henry
no peace
treaty had been signed between the two countries since 1328
Success of Ayton
The Peace
extended the earlier truce and was reinforced by the marriage of Henry’s
eldest daughter, Margaret, to James IV in August 1503. The marriage brought
Henry and the Tudors recognition from another European power and helped
to consolidate his position on the throne. avoidance of full-scale war for the rest of Henry’s reign
Weaknesses of Ayton
did not
live up to its other name of The Treaty of Perpetual Peace’ and solve the
Scottish problem. Scotland did not abandon the Auld Alliance and border
raids continued. Just as significantly, James’ expansion of his navy increased
tensions between the two countries in Henry’s later years and it could
therefore be suggested that Henry had not secured his northern border,
but had only been able to stabilise the situation, despite the significance
of the treaty
