2 how far did henry achieve his aims in foreign policy
Which country relates to each aim?
1. Could you outline Henry's aims in 4 bullet points?
Reducing the likelihood of invasion from France and Scotland
Attempting alliances, mainly through marriage, to reduce dynastic threats
Avoiding war with Scotland and France as to not pay out more money
Increasing revenue from trade by maintaining the cloth trade with Burgundy
Aim | Evidence of achievement | Evidence of failure | Judgement |
National Security | Truce with France extended from 1485-9 Commercial treaty with Brittany in 1486 Three year truce with Scotland in 1486 - James III death which secured relations Agreement with HRE Treaty of etaples France not to support pretenders France expelled Warbeck War with France avoided | Lambert Simnel created problems with diplomacy and security Invade France to reduce negotiations Brittany lost to France | Largely successful - he secured England from French support for pretenders without prolonged war |
Securing the Tudor dynasty | Henry got marriage alliances from Scotland and Spain to strengthen his claim to the throne France not backing Yorkist claimants Warbeck lost French support | Needed to be linked to other familied to strengthen position France used to support Warbeck | Successful - after 1492 French threats to henrys throne were significantly reduced |
Financial gain | Gained truces with nations they were most involved with to prevent excessive wars and therefore excessive expenditure France paid campaign expenses Treaty of etaples | Prevented more expenditure than needed but didn't bring in money Cost of invasion | Very successful - henry hained money rather than losing it in war |
Improving trade | Improved trading with Burgundy in the cloth trade which helped to bring in more money Peace with France helped stabilise trade relations Later diplomatic agreements reduced isolation | Earlier conflicts disrupted trade and exclusion from the league of Venice limited influence | Moderately successful - trade benefitted from peace but England remained diplomatically weaker than major powers |
Write a judgement paragraph:
How far did Henry meet his aims?