Henry VII - Foreign Relations

What were his foreign aims were?

- Resolve debt to Brittany and France.

- Neutralise the capacity of France, Spain, Burgundy and Scotland to from Yorkist claimants.

- Safeguard the border with Scotland.

What was Henry VII's attitude to Foreign policy?

- His priority is security for the country and dynastic.

- Henry pursued a more cautious and defensive policy.

- As Henry was a first of a new dynasty and a usurper, he read to establish his position in Europe.

- England was not a great European power.

What happened in 1485?

- Truces: France 1495 - He immediately negotiated a year - truce with France was subsequently extended to January 1489. As France helped to finance the expedition that had let to Bosworth.

What happened in 1486?

Truce with Scotland - Henry VII was concerned that if James III of Scotland refused to accept him as King of England there could be problems in the North, where the Yorkist still had support.

- James died 2 years later and with the succession of the 15 year-old James IV instability re-emerged.

What happened in 1487?

Treaty with Holy Roman Empire - Better security, less chance of an invasion backed by the Empire.

What was the Treaty of Redon?

Feb, 1489 - Brittany and England. 6,000 troops under command of Lord Daubeney to defend Breton Independence. Anne pleaded to pay for troops & to not make any alliances without Henry's approval. Failed in 1491, under pressure, Anne married Charles VIII, France took Brittany.

What was the Treaty of Dordrecht?

Feb 1489 - Treaty of Dordrecht - Holy Roman Empire (under Maximillian) and England. Henry to send 3,000 troops to help Maximillian. Failed, Maximillian did not provide troops for Breton independence.

What was the Treaty of Medina del Campo?

March 28th 1489 - Ferdinand and Isabella recognised Henry VII as King. Ended trade restrictions. CoA promised to Prince Arthur. Agreed to go to war against France to recover Normandy and Aquitane.

What was the Treaty of Etaples?

November, 1492 - England led 12,000 troops into Brittany in the final stages of the war, agreed to remove troops from all French soil (except Calais). France to pay England 745,000 crowns (£159,000).

What was the Nine Year Truce?

1593 - It was between England and Scotland. Made after pro-English Earl of Angus took control.

What was the Holy League?

31st March 1495 - Holy League (League of Venice) - Set up to deal with France during the Italian war, England was pressured into becoming entangled in European affairs. Signed between Pope Alexander VI, HRE Maximilian, Ferdinand II of Aragon, Venice, Milan in opposition to Charles VIII of France who invaded Italy in 1494. Forced the French out of Italy in 1496.

What was the Treaty of Ayton?

1497 - Scots stopped supporting Warbeck. Brought an end to the crisis with Scotland. After Warbeck's execution it became a full peace treaty. First agreement of its kind with Scotland since 1328. James III would marry Margaret, daughter of Henry.

What Happened in 1501?

- Marriage of Arthur and CoA.

What happened in 1502?

- Treaty of Perpetual Peace - James and Margaret marry in 1503. Truce extended.

2nd April - Death of Arthur

What happened in 1503?

- Death of Queen Elizabeth.

- Henry VIII's marriage to CoA proposed.

What happened in 1504?

- Death of Isabella of Spain.

What was the Treaty of Blois?

October 1505 - Between Aragon and France. Ferdinand married Louis XII's niece, Germaine de Foix. French helped Aragon fight Philip of Castille.

What happened in 1508?

- The League of Cambrai - Louis XII and Spain main players. England isolated from European affairs, with Henry VII's declining health, could be seen as a positive.

What happened in 1509?

22nd April - Henry dies, Henry VII ascends.

11th June - Henry and CoA marry.