Tudors - Henry VIII Foreign Policy

Wolsey's foreign policy and the successes and failures. Overall conclusion is that Henry VIII was unsuccessful in achieving his main foreign policy aim of La Gloire (especially in France).

Explain Thomas Wolsey as a figure of influence...

Educated at Oxford university on a scholarship and trained for Priesthood.

Went from Royal Almoner to being Lord Chancellor, Henry VIII's closest advisor, and appointed as Papal Legate by Pope Leo X in 1518.

What were Thomas Wolsey's foreign policy aims?

Wolsey sought peace but had to appease Henry's desire for war. His ability to negotiate treaties and shift alliances were key to maintaining England's relevance.

1) Diplomatic Prestige - as weaker than France & the HRE but sought influence. aimed to position Henry as key mediator in European affairs,

2) Security - Due to England’s position, Scotland posed threat to northern border, therefore maintaining dominance over Scotland was key.

3) Dynastic Alliances - through royal marriages. E.g. Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon and marriage of sister Mary to French King at the time, Louis XII.

4) The ‘Great Matter’ (1527) - tried to secure papal approval for divorce from C of A, influencing later diplomatic efforts. Failure in this area led to his downfall.

What were Henry VIII's main foreign policy goals? What was England’s annual income?

Obsessed with military glory and war. Wanted to achieve la Gloire by resembling Henry V's victories in France.

- His ambitions often exceeded financial (annual income of £100,000) and military capabilities.

Who was Francis I of France? What was France’s annual income?

The King of France from 1515 to 1547, known for his rivalry with Henry VIII (field of cloth of gold) and for promoting the Renaissance in France. He sought to expand French territory and influence, particularly against Spain and the Habsburgs. He was a key figure in European politics, engaging in several wars and forming alliances, including the Treaty of Cambrai.

Annual income = £350,000

Who was Charles V? What was his annual income?

Became King of Spain (1516 - 1558) and was elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1519 after Maximilian died. His dominance over European politics often forced Henry to take a secondary role in alliances.

Annual income of Habsburg Empire (France and HRE) = £560,000

Who was James IV & James V of Scotlands?

Kings, threatened to invade England’s northern border.James IV reigned from 1488 to 1513 (killed in Battle of Flodden) and was known for his attempts to unite Scotland and England, while James V, who ruled from 1513 to 1542, continued his father's legacy but faced challenges from Henry VIII's ambitions.

What were the 5 stages of Henry VIII’s foreign policy?

1) The young lion (1509-1514)

2) The Peacemaker (1514-1518)

3) The Arbiter of Europe (1518-1521)

4) ‘King of France’ (1521-1525)

5) The Diplomatic Revolution (1527-1529)

Name the key events included in the first stage of Henry’s foreign policy - ‘The young Lion’… (7 items)

1) Marriage to C of A

2) Treaty of Etaples extended

3) Henry joins Holy League (1511) with Pope and Spain.

4) War against France (1512-1513)

5) The Battle of the Spurs (1513)

6) The Battle of Flodden (1513)

7) The Anglo-French Treaty (1514)

Why was marriage to C of A beneficial?

Secured Spanish Alliance in 1509 for England, even after Prince Arthur’s death. Also helped legitimize Henry VIII position and claim to the throne as C of A was daughter of Ferdinand (King of Spain at the time).

Explain the French war (1512-13) and the impacts caused as a result of it…

• Henry attacked Guinne, SW France, after agreeing with Ferdinand that Spanish troops would join and support them.

• badly let down by Ferdinand as he only used the English troops as a diversion for Spanish troops to invade and capture Naverre, France.

• Henry and English army humiliated - campaign had cost a lot of money, all in vain.

Explain the events of the Battle of the Spurs (1513)…

• supported by Wolsey - Henry decided to ‘go it alone’, personally leading an army of 30,000 men to Calais.

• Captured two small French towns; Therouanne and Tournai.

Why could the Battle of the Spurs (1513) be seen as a success/ failure?

Success

• Captured 2 small towns; Therouanne and Tournai

• could be seen that Henry achieved La Gloire?

• Some important French nobles were captured.

Failure

• hardly La Gloire…very little fighting took place and not against a proper, French army.

• Propaganda victory; named due to French forces fleeing the scene, rather than fight = allowing Henry to claim success.

• Had to give away Maximilian to HRE Maxillian and Tournai was nicknamed ‘dog hole of Europe’ and was costly to maintain - had to be garrisoned.

• First French war cost £900,000 (9 years worth of income).

Describe the Battle of Flodden (1513) and its key features…

• Occurred whilst Henry was fighting in France, army was led by his wife, Regent C of A.

• Victory against James VI’s troops.

Why could the Battle of Flodden (1513) be seen as a success/ failure?

Success

• Big victory over Scotland, securing the Anglo-Scottish border.

• King James IV was killed in battle, leaving boy son James I as heir and his wife Margaret (Henry VIII’s sister) to rule as regent.

• 1/3 of Scottish army was killed, including some important members of the Scottish nobility.

Failure

• Victory was achieved, not by Henry VIII, but by his wife C of A.

• Very costly.

Why was the Anlgo-French Treaty (1514) signed and what were it’s impacts?

• Spain and HRE had already signed separate peace treaties.

• Pope Leo X favoured peace in Europe.

• It gave Henry possession of Tournai, BUT he had to give up his claim to the French throne.

• Henry’s sister Mary to be married to the elderly French King Louis XII.

Why could the Anglo-French treaty be seen as a success/ failure?

Success

• Retained Tournai - Henry’s remaining piece/ result of ‘La Gloire’ in France.

• Gave up a title which he never actually had.

• Gained alliance through marriage - further solidified his position on the English throne.

Failure

• gave up his claim to the French throne.

• Tournai was not a desirable or attractive place. It was nicknamed the’dog hole’ of Europe and had to be garrisoned for security (extremely costly).

• disappeared soon after it was signed and became irrelevant.

How did Francis becoming King of France affect England’s position? Explain how/ why England become diplomatically isolated…

• Defeated the Swiss at the Battle of Marignano and takes Milan, increasing French power, position and influence.

• Treaty of Noyon (1516) - made peace with Charles V. Reinforces idea of England being a secondary power.

• Treaty of Cambrai (1517) - peace with the HRE, leaving England without strong allies.

What was Wolsey’s motivations for the Treaty of London (1518)? Explain it’s purpose…

• Henry was becoming restless and frustrated at Francis’ numerous victories on the battlefield. He desperately wanted to achieve ‘La Gloire’ however England could not afford it.

• It bound the major European powers (over 24 countries) in a Christian alliance against the Muslim Turks.

• Guaranteed non-aggression between the powers, including collective security.

Why could the Treaty of London (1518) be seen as a success/ failure?

Success

• positioned England as the ‘arbitur of peace’ in Europe.

• gave England unprecedented.

• gave Henry international prestige.

• allowed Henry to achieve ‘La Gloire’ but not on battlefield and also saved money.

• Enhanced Wolsey’s reputation.

Describe the events of the Field of Cloth of Gold (1520)…

• Lavish meeting, located outside of Calais, between Henry VIII and Francis I of France.

• 3,000 nobles present.

• Intended to secure friendship between the 2 nations and secure peace.

• A wrestling match took place between the two monarchs - Henry lost.

Why could the Field of Cloth of Gold be seen as a success/ failure?

Success

• displayed England’s wealth; wine was running from fountains and tents were spun from gold.

• achieved Henry’s goal of ‘La Gloire’ without war.

Failure

• little diplomatic progress was made - Henry lost the wrestling match to Francis and rumors/ suspicions that Henry was also meeting with Charles V before and after event.

• extremely costly (£110,000) - amounting to nearly a whole years income.

Why was the Treaty of Bruges (1521) signed? What did it do?

• Henry agreed to declare war on France if they refused to make peace with Charles after invading Luxembourg.

• Charles agreed to marry Henry’s daughter, Mary

led to the Second French War…

Describe the events of the Second French War (1522-1523)…

• Henry invaded France, expecting Charles V’s support.

• Charles abandons him, focusing on his own campaigns in Italy which resulted in English defeat.

Why would the Second French war be seen as a failure?

• abandoned by Charles V = Henry was humiliated on international standing.

• defeat in war - did not achieve ‘La Gloire’.

• Duke of Bourbon takes Henry’s money but does not follow through and march on Paris.

• very costly.

What happened after the Battle of Pavia (1525) (Charles captured Francis) ? Why were these events seen as a failure?

• Wolsey offers to Charles and Duke of Bourbon; should invade France and march on Paris.

• Territory to be divided between them and Henry to be crowned as ‘King of France’.

Failure

• Charles refused - demonstrates England’s weaker position.

• Failed to raise sufficient funds for war (Amicable Grant 1525 - resulted in widespread protests, forcing him to abandon it).

• Wolsey’s reputation tarnished.

Explain the Treaty of the More (1525)… Why could it be seen as a success/ failure?

• Henry gave up claim to French throne in return for annual pension.

• Gave up throne, although technically he never was king in the first place.

• Gained more money, which England was always short of.

Outline the key events during the Diplomatic Revolution (1527-29)…

1) England abandons the alliance with Charles V after he broke the treaty, marrying Isabella of Portugal (1527). Treaty of Amiens; England aligns with France against the Habsburgs.

2) League of Cognac (1526) formed with France and some small Italian states to put pressure on Charles V.

• Henry VIII refused to sign unless in England - joined through Treaty of Westminster (1527).

3) Sack of Rome (1527) - Charles’ troops take control of the Pope and prevent him from granting Henry a divorce.

4) Peace of Cambrai (1529) - England is excluded from major negotiations.

Why could the League of Cognac (1527/ Treaty of Westminster be seen as a success/ failure?

Success

• England gained alliances with France and several Italian states.

• signed in England - empowers England’s diplomatic position and standing?

Failures

• England did not have military might, therefore did not actually have the power to carry out threats against Charles V.

• League caused Henry to be sucked into conflict within Italy which served him no purpose.