Henry VII - Foreign Policy

The foreign policy under Henry VII between 1485-1509

What aims underpinned Henry VII’s foreign policy?

National Security - Concerns over foreign invasion and plots to restore the House of York.

Dynastic Security - Securing recognition that the Tudor dynasty is the rightful monarchs of England internationally.

National Prestige - England was no longer a major European power and faced growing irrelevancy.

Economic Growth - Rebuild England’s wealth after the Wars of the Roses.

How did ‘national security’ pose a threat to Henry VII?

Foreign invaders like Perkin Warbeck were backed by other monarchs, such as Margaret of Burgundy or James IV of Scotland.

France threatened England through their annexation of Brittany which gave the French more power of the English Channel which had previously protected England.

How did ‘dynastic security’ pose a threat to Henry VII?

The legitimacy of the Tudor Dynasty was rivalled by the House of York, one of the two royal houses during the Wars of the Roses.

Henry’s claim was even weaker as it originated from his maternal line, his mother being Margaret Beaufort.

Through arranging royal marriages between other European dynasties, Henry increased his international recognition as King. Examples include the Treaty of Medina del Campo, which saw Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragon betrothed, and the marriage between Margaret Tudor and James IV.

How did ‘national prestige‘ pose a threat to Henry VII?

After the the Wars of the Roses, England was now a minor European power that couldn’t compete with the likes of France, Spain or the Holy Roman Empire. This threatened to make England irrelevant on the European stage.

Henry would engage in diplomacy to juggle relations with more powerful nations.

The aim to restore England’s national prestige strongly correlates with Henry’s aim to secure international recognition.

How did the aim of ‘economic growth’ pose a threat to Henry VII?

England was in a weak position ecnomically both in terms of trade abroad and domestic industries. This was due to the consequences of the Wars of the Roses.

Whilst Henry had limited ability for war due to this weakness, he would go on to secure a peace treaty after warring with France, which would secure him a yearly pension of £5000 as per the Treaty of Etaples.

Outside of that, Henry would focus on securing trading rights within central Europe and Spain. Treaties include the Treaty of Medina del Campo, the Intercursus Magnus and the Malus Intercursus.

What was Henry’s first diplomatic action with Scotland and France in 1486?

Henry VII made a guarantee of peace with both Scotland and France to ensure that he was not threatened by war so soon after claiming the crown.

Who supported Lambert Simnel, whilst impersonating Edward the Earl of Warwick, during his rebellion in 1487?

Margaret of Burgundy, a rival to Henry VII and sister to the late king, Richard III.

What treaty was signed with Spain in 1489?

The Treaty of Medina del Campo was signed in 1489, it is one Henry VII’s greatest and most important achievements. It secured a mutual defensive alliance between England and Spain. This alliance was secured through the marriage of Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragon.

The treaty was also significant as it agreed that tariffs between the two nations would be brought down and that Spain wouldn’t support any pretenders to the English throne.

What trade treaty was signed with Burgundy in 1496?

The Intercursus Magnus was a trade agreement between Burgundy and England that ended the mutual embargo and restored the cloth trade.

The treaty also outlined that Burgundy would recognise the Tudor dynasty as the rightful monarchs of England.

What European alliance did England join in 1496?

England joined the Holy League, but it was largley a symbolic partnership and Henry did not involve England with any of the Italian conflicts.

Whilst practically insignificant, it did bring England some renown, because it marked that England was powerful enough to join the diplomatic stage.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Ayton, signed in 1497?

The Treaty of Ayton established another more permanent period of peace after the initial agreements in 1486.

Importantly for Henry, this treaty meant that the Scots withdrew their support for Perkin Warbeck. The treaty further increased Henry’s internationally recognition and prestige as Margaret Tudor was agreed to marry James IV.

Who was executed in 1499 and why was it significant to foreign policy?

After a failed escape attempt, Perkin Warbeck and Edward, Earl of Warwick, were executed by order of Henry VII.

This was significant to foreign policy as it marked the end of foreign intervention in support of anti-Tudor plots/rebels.

Who was married in 1501 after their initial betrothal due to the Treaty of Medina del Campo?

Arthur, Prince of Wales, and Catherine of Aragon.

This marriage was crucial for strengthening the alliance between England and Spain, enhancing both countries' political power and influence in Europe.

Who died in 1502, and what were the implications of this?

Arthur Tudor died in 1502, meaning that the Anglo-Spanish marriage was lost. Losing this marriage would be a signficant set-back in terms of foreign policy as the alliance with Spain and the points set out in Treaty Medina del Campo would be void.

Henry VII negotiated that his new heir, Henry, would marry Catherine instead.

After Philip of Burgundy was stranded in England, what treaty did he sign in 1506?

The Treaty of Windsor (or Malus Intercursus) was an agreement between Henry VII and Philip of Burgundy. The most significant party of this treaty was the promised marriage alliance, but this failed due to the soon death of Philip.

This deal was disfavourable to Burgundy to which had to put up with trade deals that favoured England.

Furthermore, Edmund de la Pole was returned to England, where he was executed soon after.

What was significant about England’s exclusion from the League of Cambrai in 1508?

France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire agreed to an alliance against Venice that would exclude England. This highlighted that whilst England may have stabilised, they were still seen as insignificant on the European stage. It showcases Henry’s failure to empower England abroad.