Foreign Policy 1509-14

Foreign Policy 1509-14

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France (1509-14)

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What was Henry VIII's attitude towards France at the beginning of his reign?

He asked for the translation of the life of his idol Henry V, who was known for his lengthy quarrel with France — this showed Henry's early interest in pursuing a similar aggressive foreign policy towards France

What were councillors from Henry Tudor's reign calling for regarding France?

The renewal of peace through the Treaty of Etaples in 1510 — this was an early sign of Henry VIII going against this as his interest was in Henry V's example

What was the Holy League and how was it formed?

An anti-French alliance between England, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, Venice and the Papacy — Henry asked the Archbishop of York Bainbridge to persuade Pope Julius II to create it

KEY POINT — Why was Henry being used?

Henry did not realise he was being used by Ferdinand of Aragon and Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I for their own ends — this is important as it shows Henry's naivety in foreign policy at this stage

What happened in 1512 when Henry sent an army to France?

He sent a substantial army of 10,000 men to the southwest of France under the Marquis of Dorset, but this achieved nothing — Ferdinand used this as a diversionary tactic while he successfully conquered Navarre for himself

What did Henry achieve in France in 1513?

He led a force to the northeast of France and won the Battle of Spurs as well as capturing the towns of Thérouanne and Tournai — however the relevance and importance of these gains can be debated

Scotland (1513)

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What happened at the Battle of Flodden in September 1513?

King James IV of Scotland crossed the border with a large force but was defeated by the English army's last minute smaller force led by the Earl of Surrey

What was the consequence of the Battle of Flodden for Scotland?

James IV died in the battle along with many Scottish nobles, leaving the throne to his infant son James V

KEY POINT — Did Henry benefit from Flodden?

Henry did little to exploit the advantage Flodden gave him and it actually cost him a great deal — this shows poor strategic thinking

What were the costs of Henry's early foreign policy by 1514?

The war was very costly and Henry was forced to liquidate assets inherited from his father — there were rumblings about taxation in Yorkshire which nearly turned into a full-scale revolt, and the renegotiated French pension was lost

What happened to Tournai?

It was eventually sold back to the French for rather less than the English had paid to repair its defences after the siege

What happened when a further campaign was contemplated in 1514?

It was quickly abandoned once Ferdinand and Maximilian each made a separate peace with France, leaving England isolated

How did Wolsey resolve England's isolation in 1514?

He secured a marriage alliance between Henry's younger sister Mary and the older French king Louis XII