War with scotland in the 1540’s

Background

• Going back to a policy of warfare in 1540 was decided by Henry’s changing financial and political status.

• He had grown financially through the dissolution of the monasteries which had enriched the crown, and meant Henry could therefore fund his foreign policy

• Henry had also spent the 1530s focused on the Kings Great Matter, and religious reform. Politically, Henry had drawn a line under religious reform, symbolised by the execution of Cromwell. Once these distractions were removed he could return to a policy of warfare.

• Henry was nearing the end of his life, and wanted to return to a policy of foreign warfare, gaining glory in battle, similar to the expeditions of his youth

• He was also not under the control of a chief minister, and could follow policy which may not have been advantageous for the country

• He also had motivations to go to war with France, and renew his claim to the French throne. But to do so, he needed to neutralise the French-Scottish Alliance (Auld Alliance)

Events

October 1542 saw the start of large-scale fighting. The Duke of Norfolk led a preliminary attack on the Scots. It was unsuccessful

• November 1542 saw a more decisive battle fought. The Battle of Solway Moss was a massive loss for the Scots. A large segment of the Scottish Army fled, and James V died. Scotland was left vulnerable, with the Crown being left to a baby daughter—Mary Queen of Scots, and with a limited army

• This saw Henry change his plans from neutralisation to conquest

• In July 1543, the Treaty of Greenwich was drawn up. The Earl of Arran (who was leading a pro-English faction of Scottish Nobles) was ready to cooperate.

• The Treaty detailed a marriage alliance between Mary and Henry’s son, James

• But it became apparent that the Earl of Arran was playing Henry along, and had his own plans to seize the throne

• Henry demanded the Scots sign the treaty of Greenwich, declared himself as the true sovereign of Scotland, and demanded the termination of the treaty with the French

• This heavy handed treatment inflamed the already fraught relationship, and ignited Scottish nationalist anger. This led Henry to suppress Scotland in a military campaign

• He did not commit to a full military campaign, but used 3 raids over the border. The destruction was reminiscent of the Harrying of the North, and led to farms, villages and crops being destroyed. This is known as the Rough Wooing

Consequences of war with Scotland

• The neutralisation led to a greater military conquest, which saw Edinburgh burned to the ground, and much of Southern Scotland was ravaged.

• Henry inflamed the poor relations with Scotland, as well as Scottish Nationalism, making the aim of neutralising the threat more unlikely

• The Scottish were driven closer to the French

• On an international scale, Henry was portrayed as a failure

Was it successful

YES

• Defeat at Solway Moss (1542) and death of

James V left Scotland diplomatically isolated;

temporarily neutralising the threat of protecting

northern borders ahead of Englands war with Fr

• Henry found initial success in the treaty of

Greenwich (1543) the betrothal of Mary, Queen

of Scots to Prince Edward, and a pro-English

faction – acted as a diplomatic foothold in

Scotland.

• English forces led by the Earl of Hertford,

inflicted significant damage on the Scottish

Lowlands, during the failed marriage diplomacy

campaign, showcasing English military might

and retaliating effectively after the Treaty was

rejected.

Was is successful?

NO

• English aggression pushed Scotland towards

France, strengthening the Auld Alliance,

rather than weakening it – counteracting

Henry’s strategic goal

• The Treaty of Greenwich eventually collapsed,

and England failed to either conquer

Scotland or secure the dynastic union through

marriage.

• Opposition to the Treaty of Greenwich,

growing Scottish nationalism and resistance

due to Henry’s aggressive tactics; pushed

Scots to reject the Treaty of Greenwich and Betroth Mary to future Francis II (French Daup

Historians views

• G.R. Elton describes the war as a “strategic failure,” highlighting how the attempt to force a dynasticunion by violence undermined the diplomatic goals Henry sought.

• David Starkey sees Solway Moss as a “brief tactical success” but points out that Henry lacked the political vision to turn military advantage into lasting influence in Scotland.

• Susan Brigden argues that Henry’s Scottish policy was “short-sighted and needlessly aggressive,” noting that it alienated moderate Scots and strengthened the Auld Alliance rather than breaking it

Conclusion

Overall, the war with Scotland under Henry VIII was a strategic failure in terms of foreign policy. While it brought some short-term gains, Henry’s reliance on intimidation over diplomacy ensured that Scotland became more hostile and more closely aligned with France. In trying to subdue Scotland, Henry alienated potential allies, missing a vital chance for peaceful union. This ultimately undermined his broader goals and foreign policy aims in Europe