Foreign Policy 1527-40

Foreign Policy 1527-40

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England's Weak Position (1527)

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What did Henry's failure to resolve the Great Matter emphasise about England?

It emphasised the extent of England's position as a minor power in diplomatic terms

What were Henry and Wolsey forced to do due to England's weak position?

Make an anti-imperial alliance with France at the Treaty of Amiens in 1527

What happened when Wolsey tried to pressure the emperor with a trade embargo on Burgundian lands?

Charles retaliated, creating widespread unemployment and social problems in England, forcing Wolsey to back down

What demonstrated Charles V's strength in 1529?

His victory over the French at the Battle of Landriano and his dominance over the Pope through the Peace of Cambrai in the same year

KEY POINT — What did Charles V's strength in 1529 mean for Henry?

It ensured that Henry's attempts to solve his marital issues by diplomatic means were doomed — characteristically Henry had to blame someone else, resulting in Wolsey's fall from power in 1529

Henry's Position After the Break with Rome

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What did Henry attempt in 1532 regarding France?

He tried to establish a fragile alliance with France, but France was also in a weak position so pressure on the emperor by both powers would be minimal

Why did the French alliance unravel?

Francis wanted to establish a marriage alliance between his son Henry and the Pope's niece Catherine de Medici

What did Henry have to deal with before anything else?

The Great Matter — breaking with Rome

How did Catholics across Europe react to the break with Rome?

It horrified them, but there were no short-term repercussions as Charles was mainly concerned with the threat of the Ottoman Turks to Christian Europe

What alliance did Henry try to make that failed?

An alliance with the League of Schmalkalden, which failed due to mutual mistrust

How 1536 Reduced Pressure on Henry's Position

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What events in 1536 reduced pressure on Henry?

The death of Catherine of Aragon and the execution of Anne Boleyn opened up the possibility of a renewed alliance with the emperor and gaining support in the League of Schmalkalden, and Catherine's death eased tensions with the Pope

What initially reduced the danger of England's isolated position in 1536?

The renewal of fighting between the emperor and Francis I reduced the potential danger — but this relief was short-lived and by 1538 Henry's position was again weakened

What three events in 1538 threatened Henry's position?

Charles and Francis made up in the Treaty of Nice and agreed to sever connections with England, Pope Paul III published a bull deposing Henry and absolving English Catholics from obeying him, and the Pope sent envoys to France and Scotland to rouse support for a Catholic crusade against Henry

KEY POINT — Was Henry's position as dangerous as it appeared?

In reality his position was more secure than it appeared — neither France nor Charles trusted each other and had more important priorities, but the situation did appear dangerous to Henry, explaining his enthusiasm for the Six Articles Act of 1539

What was the purpose of the Six Articles Act of 1539?

To reassure Catholic opinion in England

Why did Henry marry Anne of Cleves?

He felt that France and the emperor were conspiring to invade England — the marriage, accompanied by another attempt at an alliance with the League of Schmalkalden, would be a useful insurance policy

What happened to the marriage with Anne of Cleves?

It soon fell apart once the short-lived friendship between Charles and Francis broke down, leaving Henry in a much more secure position

Ireland

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What was England's early focus regarding Ireland under Henry VIII?

Concerns about Ireland were low and English control was primarily focused on the Pale near Dublin

Who was Gerald Fitzgerald and what was his significance?

The ninth Earl of Kildare, who held significant power as an Irish nobleman, balanced roles as both an English courtier and a Gaelic chief

What dilemma did Henry VIII face regarding Kildare?

He struggled to rule Ireland effectively with Kildare but found it impossible to do so without him

What happened when Kildare was dismissed in 1534?

It led to a significant rebellion led by his son Thomas Fitzgerald, the Earl of Ossory — the rebellion was challenging to suppress and costly for the Crown

What did the attempt to reform Irish governance in 1534 fail to establish?

Direct English control — effective governance required an English-born deputy and a strong military presence

What happened in 1539 regarding Ireland?

Gaelic nobles Con O'Neill and Manus O'Donnell invaded the Pale but the English government regained control

What happened in 1541 regarding Ireland's status?

Ireland was established as a separate kingdom under English rule

What changes were made when Ireland became a separate kingdom?

English law was imposed, counties were created from Gaelic lordships, some Gaelic lords were granted peerage titles, and the Irish were promised the same legal protections as English subjects

Why did the reforms of 1541 struggle?

The government lacked resources to implement them, there was minimal loyalty among the Irish towards the English Crown, and post-1534 religious differences further complicated the relationship between England and Ireland

What became an increasing burden on the Crown regarding Ireland?

Ireland became an increasing financial burden