Henry VIIs relation with foreign powers

France was a much….

smaller country than it is now with several areas independent of the French king

Calais was controlled by England and was..

the only remnant of the English conquests during the Hundred Years war

Spain was becoming…

united under Ferdinand of Aragon & Isabella of Castille

the provinces of Spain were mostly…

ruled separately

Henry regarded friendship with Spain as a…

vital counter balance to French power in Europe

Henry felt that he owed the Duke of Brittainy a…

debt of gratitude for sheltering him from the Yorkists

france had been Englands traditional…

rival in the Middle Ages

Henry VII was suspicious of the revival of..

French power

Burgundy was a major…

trading partner of England

why were relations tense with Burgundy

Edward IVs mother was married to the Duke of Burgundy

A huge area of central europe was known as the..

Holy Roman Empire

what was the Holy Roman Empire

a conglomeration of states & territory under the nominal control of the Holy Roman Empire

One part of the Holy Roman Empire was Burgundy, the Duke of Burgundy also ruled…

Flanders which included the netherlands

why was Netherlands significant

their ports especially Antwerp were important for English trade

Italy was divided into…

city states that competed for power

Catholic Spain was mainly concerned with…

removing the Muslim rulers of Southern Spain

Spain increasingly assumed….

England’s position as france’s main rival often leaving england on the sidelines

where was the most vunerable part of Engladn

its northern boarder with scotland

what two things were Henry’s foreign policy initially dictated by

the circumstances surrounding his succession and his lack of money

why was henry’s legal status insecure

he had become king by killing Richard III

in the first few years of his reign henry’s priority was to

gain acceptance of his right to rule from other monarchs

why was it important that other monarchs accepted his rule

rivals for the crown might seek shelter or assistance from other countries & favourable words from a ruler might give him more credibility in England

later on in henry’s reign his concern was on

trade, dynastic expansion & his own succession

what were Henry’s four main priorities

secure his throne, achieve international recognition of kingship, promote prosperity in england, maintain prestige while keeping costs down

explain secure his throne as Henry’s priority

Henry was aware that in the War of the roses three kings had been defeated by rivals backed by foreign powers

explain international recognition of his kingship and his dynasty’s legitimate succession as Henry’s priority

could achieve this through marriage alliances with foreign royal; families which could establish strong alliances

explain to promote prosperity as Henry’s priority

England was a trading nation so depended on internal peace and advantageous commercial terms. economic prosperity generated employment and wealth which would deter rebellion

explain maintain prestige while keeping costs down as Henry’s priority

Henry realised that the treasury was far more secure when England functioned as a useful allay for one of the main powers in Europe