T2 Early Tudors

to what extent was Brittany + France a threat to Henry VII

threat → France largest army in Europe, financially stronger, traditional enemies following 100 years war, Auld Alliance

not a threat → independant Duchy of Brittany provided Henry refuge when fled in 1471, France gave financial support for Battle of Bosworth in 1485

to what extent was Scotland a threat to Henry VII

threat → Auld alliance attack on 2 fronts risk, despite no full scale invasion raids common required expensive military bases with troops at Berwick and Carlisle, James IV expansion of navy

not a threat → smaller population and income, not as powerful on their own

to what extent was Spain a threat to Henry VII

threat → new major Europe power as marriage of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon brought kingdoms together

not a threat → prioritised to get moors out of Granada (1492) and secure northern border with France by retaking land (likely conflict allows Spain to see England as a useful ally)

to what extent was Burgundy a threat to Henry VII

threat → Margaret of Burgundy married Duke of Burgundy (ruled trade area) supported Yorkist claimants, threat difficult to deal with due to importance of cloth trade

not a threat → important to Englands cloth trade

to what extent was the Holy Roman Empire a threat to Henry VII

not a threat → despite appearing strong and large emperor had limited power despite efforts

to what extent was Italy a threat to Henry VII

not a threat → rulers of France, Spain, and Empire all had claims to land → outbreak of Italian wars 1494 diverted attention allowing Henry to be less vulnerable

Henry's top 5 aims for foreign policy

1. national security

2. recognition of tudor dynasty

3. defence of trade interests

4. avoiding war

5. gaining allies

Henry VII foreign policy with France + Brittany

1487 Henry aim to prevent French control over Brittany → fear threat to English coastline + Calais (last place of Englands medieval empire in France)

1489 Breton Crisis → due to French invasion off Brittany (only time Henry committed troops outside British Isles) + Henry obliged to help Brittany due to Treaty of Redon with Duchess of Anne

1492 Invasion of France resulted in Treaty of Etaples securing peace + stopped French support for claimants (French agreed due to interest in Italian Peninsula), France pay annual pension of £5,000 → shows diplomacy however extraordinary rev £100,000 expensive + resulted in rebellions

1495 League of Venice established → 1496 revamped to Holy League and England invited

how far were Henry VIIs aims achieved with France and Brittany

Henry VII foreign policy with Scotland

1486 3 year truce with James III to stabilise border

1488 James III died, 15 year old son James IV to rule unlikely to wage war however Scottish nobles hostile and James IV harboured Warbeck, provided pension and marriage to Lady Catherine Gordon

1492 aided successful attempts to overthrow anti-English regents, brought Earl of Angus back to power (favoured better relations with England)

1493 signed 9 year truce (lasted 2 years only)

1496 James IV encouraged Warbeck to invade England led to English retalliation + subsequent unrest (i.e Cornish rebellion) forced recognition for peace → James IV realised Warbeck of limited value to him

1497 Truce of Ayton to cease hostilities

1502 Treaty oof perpetual peace formal permanent resolvement of conflicts

1503 Dynastic marriage Henry VIIs daughter Margaret and James IV establish positive relations for rest of reign

Henry VII foreign policy with Ireland

• Henry VII authority restricted primarilly to Pale while rest governed by Anglo-Norman barons

• Earl of Kildare (Lord Deputy since 1477) significant figure that posed high threat due to support for Yorkist pretenders (i.e. crowned Simnel King of Ireland + support Warbeck)

• to assert royal authority appointed Prince Henry as lieutenant of Ireland + Sir Edward Poynings as deputy

• 1495 Poynings law stated no laws to be passed in Ireland without direct approval from English Crown → however too expensive so recalled in 1496 returned to governing through Earl of Kildare pledged loyalty + ceased support of Yorkists

Henry VII foreign policy with Burgundy, Netherlands, and Holy Roman Empire

• HRE loose federation of 300 states where emperor elected (memb of Austrian Habsburg dynasty)

• lots of English trade passed thru Netherlands (Antwerp + Bruges) so economic significance to upkeep relations

• Margaret of Burgundy and Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian I hospitable to Warbeck

• Henry faced confflict to choose trade v dynasty (prioritised dynasty → paused trade untiil Warbeck removed)

• 1496 Intercurrsus Magnus signed by Henry VII and Philip of Burgundy → trade agreement allowing English merchants to export to any part of Duke of Burgundy land except from Flanders

Henry VII foreign policy with Spain + Burgundy

1488 marriage Arthur and Catherine of Aragon → recognition despite slow process

1489 Treaty of Medina del Campo (best fp achievement) agree: marriage, Catherines dowry £40,000 paid in installments, Spain dont help English rebels, benefits trade, if either at war with France other intervenes

1493 Spain regains Pyrenean borders in return Spain offers to hhelp England regain Normandy and Aquitaine, despite little help Henry celebrates by minting a new gold soveirgn implies he viewed his position as more secure

1496 Catherine didnt arrive in England with dowry installment until 1501 due to Henrys insecure position due to Warbeck + Henry joined Holy League

1503 Catherine betrothed to Prince Henry after papal dispensation due to death of Arthur (shows Spanish alliance importance), however changes in Spain memant marriiage only took place 6 years later in 1509

1504 Isabella of Castile dies led to Castilian succcession crisis lasting until 1506 → end of anti French alliance (England, Spain, Netherlands), Isabella’s will: Joanna rule Castille and Ferdinand rule Aragon (he refuses)

1506 French support of Ferdinand fails to materialise so withdrew to Aragon → Philip dies Ferdinand retakes Castile, Maximillian took over Burgundy for grandson Charles

1508 revoked Magnus Intercursus concession to speed up marriage of daughter to Charles of Ghent to try win Burgundian support + Henry excluded from League of Cambrai leaving him diplomatically isolated