Henry VIII Foreign Policy (AQA A Level)

1510

RENEWAL OF THE TREATY OF ÉTAPLES

"Peace of Étaples.

Henry VIII and Louis XII.

Negotiated peace with France.

First signed in 1492 between Henry VII and Charles VIII.

Gave Henry more time to plan his pending invasion.

Received pension.

Helped form the Holy League, anti-France alliance, organised by Pope Julius II. Included Spain, Venice, The HRE, England and the Swiss.

1512

: FIRST INVASION OF FRANCE:

10,000 men sent to southwest France.

The invasion failed, due to the incompetence of the army. Henry achieved nothing.

1513: BATTLE OF SPURS:

Led by Henry himself.

Captured Tournai and Therouanne. Though Henry gained land and respect from his people, he did nothing with it.

Overall Henry's victory achieved nothing.

Sept 1513: BATTLE OF FLODDEN:

Henry VIII and James IV.

Scottish forces crossed the border. But were defeated by the English.

James IV was killed in battle, despite this Henry chose not to exploit Scotland's weakness.

1514

Marriage of Louis XII to Mary, Henry's sister. Alliance with France.

By the end of 1514, Henry had no money left to continue his warlike foreign policy.

1515

DEATH OF LOUIS XII

Succeeded by Francis I.

Alliance with England expired.

The death of a personal/ political rival.

1516

DEATH OF FERDINAND II OF SPAIN

Succeeded by Charles V.

Treaty of Noyon: peace between Spain and France.

England isolated by new rivals.

1517

Francis I sent Duke of Albany (Scottish heir) to stir trouble between Scotland and England.

Albany appointed regent to the Scottish throne.

1517 Treaty of Cambrai

Peace between The HRE, Spain and France.

1518

TREATY OF LONDON:

Instructed by Wolsey, prompted by Pope Leo X who wanted a united Christian front.

Non-aggression pact between European nations - France, HRE and Spain to not attack each other or all countries will retaliate.

England no longer isolated by its neighbours.

Tournai returned.

Albany kept by the French.

1519

King Charles V elected Holy Roman Emperor.

Encouraged France to change their attitude.

1520

FIELD OF CLOTH OF GOLD:

Henry and Francis meet in France.

2 week meeting - both set up lavish pavilions

Henry defeated by Francis in a wrestling match.

Cost the royal treasury £15,000, achieved nothing.

1521

TREATY OF BRUGES:

Henry VIII and Charles V.

Could improve relations with the pope.

Negotiated marriage between Charles V and Mary I.

Alliance with the HRE and angered the French and inspired war.

1522

ENGLAND AT WAR WITH FRANCE:

Costly, gained nothing.

Parliament refused to grant revenue to cover costs.

1525

Battle of Pavia:

Charles V victorious, captured King Francis I.

England loses marriage alliance between Charles V and Mary.

1526

Henry on bad terms with Charles V due to the "King's Great Matter".

England linked with Anti-Imperial league of Cognac, proposed by the pope to limit Northern Italy.

1527

Sack of Rome:

Charles V takes Pope Clement VII prisoner.

England offers support to France.

Treaty of Amiens: peace between England and France

against the HRE.

1529

: BATTLE OF LANDRIANO:

French defeated by HRE.

Peace of Cambrai between France and HRE.

Henry isolated again.

1532

ALLIANCE BETWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE:

Defensive alliance.

France weak against Rome.

Francis sought alliance with the Pope via engagement between his son Henry II and and Catherine de Medici.

1533

Break with Rome.

Charles V too busy with the Ottoman Empire to respond.

1536

DEATH OF CATHERINE OF ARAGON:

Possibility of renewed alliance with the emperor, which would mean England would no longer be isolated.

1538

TREATY OF NICE:

France agreed to sever ties with England.

Pope Paul III, published Papal Bull excommunicating Henry, denying his role as head of the English Church.

England isolated.

1539

POPE ATTEMPTS TO FORM ANTI-ENGLISH CRUSADE:

Fear of another invasion.

Pope goes to France.

1542

INVASION OF SCOTLAND:

Scots defeated.

James V died.

Henry more interested in France, didn't take advantage of weak Scotland.

1544

INVASIONS OF FRANCE AND SCOTLAND:

Failed to capture Mentrevil.

Captured Boulogne.

1545

FRENCH INVADE THE ISLE OF WIGHT:

Francis I sent troops to Scotland to reinforce an invasion of England.

England defeated at the Battle of Ancrum Moor.

Mary Rose ship sunk.

1546

PEACE WITH FRANCE:

French failed to recapture Boulogne.

Invasion of Northern England never materialised.

Neither France or England could continue their warlike policies.