Henry VIII Foreign Affairs 1509 - 1529
- Created by: RachelMarie22
- Created on: 15-05-21 14:17
Context of Foreign Policy: The starting point 1509
Henry was a young man: 18 years old
- Henry VIII was keen to impress - to make his mark - have his reign noticed
- Influenced by Arthurian legends as a child / his hero Henry V: Hundred years War
England had been relatively benign under Henry VIII: nobility starved of war, councillors older and pacific (peaceful) and more cautious
Henry cemented a Habsburg alliance by marrying Katherine of Aragon (betrothed - shows early direction of foreign policy)
Henry was solvent: cash inheritance - had the money, means, and motive to be active in foreign affairs - makes him distinct as a monarch - money only so far however
Henry knew Englands limitations and that he would need allies - resources in compared to other european powers e.g. france , cant make a meaningful mark alone
- -> comparative poverty size (French income x3, HRE x8) ( French population x5, HRE X7)
Continental context: Habsburg-Valois rivalry
France : Lous XII d.1515 --> Francis I ( Both were warlike, aggressive and very able / France single greatest power in continent at beginning of period)
Spain : Ferdinand of Aragon d. 1516 --> Charles V
Holy Roman Empire : Maximilian d.1519 --> Charles V (Inherits land from paternal/maternal side of family)
Netherlands, Austria, Naples: Charles V - collection of lands under his control made him the most powerful ruler in europeby 1520
Struggle for domination throughout this period between Valois family ( French Royal Family - Francis I) against the Habsburg territories of Charles V
The Papacy - moral authoritiy, judgement in disputes, in course of rivalry - pope would intervene and supported whoever suited his interest best
Continental context: Priorities
Priorities:
- Northern Italy - focus of this dispute for struggle towards terriroties
- Influence over the Papacy - becomes important
- Election of holy Roman Empire - competition after Maximilian died, although Charles won this and became a catalyst for war, led to Francis I becoming more warlike
- Gain disputed land/successions - struggle to gain more terrority a=under their control
In first years:
Henry VIII was young and inexperienced compared to major rullers Louis XII, Ferdinand of Aragon and Maximilian --> Rash, naive, and moneyed
By 1519:
Henry VIII was dealing with rulers of similar age and experience but with greater resources --> Personal rivalry, limited resources
Henry's Aims
- Status: Domestic and Internationally - to make his mark, build his honour and be militaristic, this is gained by fighting - this was usual for the 16th century - powerful, aggressive and militaristic in foreign affairs
- To pursue the French throne: 'Great Enterprise' - Henry has a claim to french throne, and a great way to increase stattus is to further his ambition to overlord france in some way
- Freedom from ministers' control - inherited them from his father - e.g. Warham and Fox - peaceful, dont war previous achievements of buiklding up money going up in smoke - Henry wants freedom however to make his mark
- To emulate Henry V - 15th century monach who fought in France - he was rememebered as a great king because of his miltary achievements - one eye on reputation
- To be a chivalric knight: chivally fashionable - tales of king arthur popular in court, Henry wants to act and to be known as a knight
Henry Aims - Success Criteria
1. Accruing personal glory and reputation: honour -
2. An active major power on the Continental Stage
3. Treated as a valued ally by other powers
4. Positive contribution to domestic power and stability
Wolsey's aims and role
Key Points
- Spectacular rapid rise: brilliant and opportunistic
- Success in foreign affairs linked to increase domestic power/ status
- Extent of role and motive much debated
Context: Woulsey's Rise to Power:
- 1510 - appointed royal councillor
- 1513 - organises expedition to France
- 1514 - becomes chief minister
- 1515 - becomes a cardinal
- 1518 - appointed papal legate
- 1518 - organises Treaty of London
Wolsey's Motives
- Build Henry's prestige and honour **
- Fufil Henry's wishes
- Personal prestige
- Personal wealth
- Serve interests of the Pope
- Further ambition to become Pope
A.F. Pollard (1929) - " To primarily defend the interests of the Pope and so increase his own chances of becoming Pope."
J. J. Scarisbrick (1968) - " To prioritise securing international peace and minimising continental wars. "
J. Guy (1988) / P. Gwyn (1990) - " To be led by the need denf and develop Henry's honour as circumstances changed."
Wolsey's executive role - Modern view
Modern historians have reduced Wolsey's executive role:
Henry set Policy and Wolsey carried it out
- Henry took an increasingly active role in state affairs as his confidence grew
- Foreign afffairs was an area of interest for Henry
- It suited Wolsey to give the appearance that he had more power than he did
- Henry and Wolsey's relationship was complex and flexible
J. Scarisbrick (1997) : " That (Henry) was the true source of the really important events of the reign... is scarcely disputable."
Key events: 1512 - 1517 : Stage 1 - Young King
1512: First French expedition - Joined anti - French Holy League
- Invaded South Western France: used by Ferdinand for own benefit
1513 Battle of Flodden - Decisive victory in Henry's absence (Achieved by K of A) - James IV killed
- Secured Northern border for 20 years- brought to peace - scotland no longer threat - major achievement - glory of this battle isnt Henry's
1513: Second French Expedition
- Battle of the Spurs, capture of Therouanne, Tournai - Northern France
- Personal glory, status - used as great propaganda however only small affair compared to Flodden
- Organised by Wolsey - marks his emergence politically
1514: Peace with France
- War cut short / Ferdinand and Maximilian made separate peace / Wolsey led successful peace negiotations - Mary Tudor married to Louis XII - Most of inheritance spent
1518 - 20 Stage 2 - Diplomatic success
1518 Treaty of London
- Wolsey adapted Papacy's call for unity against Turks
- 20 European powers met in London
- Universsal peace and friendship against Christendom
- Henry VIII arbiter of disputes
1520: Charles V visits England
- Habsburg - Valois tension (Charles just made Holy Roman Emperor )
- Henry VIII courted as an ally
1520: Field of Cloth of Gold
- Weeks after Charles V visited
- Two weeks of courtly activites and feasting
- Francis I courts Henry VIII as an ally - no agreements
1521-25 Stage 3: The Great Enterprise
1521 Treaty of Bruges:
- Followed Calaid Conference with France
- Wolsey met Charles V in Bruges
- Agreed to declare war on France, Mary ( Henry's daughter )and Charles betrothed
1522 -5 Second French War
- Unseccessful expedition into Northern France
- Charles V concentrated only on northern Italy -
- Funded by unpopular forced loans - Ambicable Grant
1525: Battle of Pavia ( Doesnt involve England directly)
- Climatic battle between Charles and Francis - complete domination of France by Charles - became incredibly powerful
1525-1527 Unsuccessful French Direction part 1
1525 Amicable Grant demanded:
- Unpopular non-Parliamentary tax failed - resistance in Norfolk
- Wolsey blamed and damaged politically
- England unable to capitalise on Pavia and France weakness - they didnt have resources to launch another invasion
- Charles V didnt want to share this position - abandoned Henry - called off betrothal
1527 Sack of Rome - Charles V forces sacked Rome and the Pope was held captive for his own protection - impossible for him to act against Charles wishes
1525-7 treaties with France after Francis released
- 1525 Treaty of the More - friendship treaty
- 1526 League of Cognac - 'protector status' - anti-imperial states
- 1527 Treaty of Amiens - agreed to attack Netherlands - protests on effect on cloth trade
1527-29 Unsuccessful French direction part 2
1529 Peace of Cambrai
- Charles V victorious in Italy
- France and Papacy came to terms with Charles V
Therefore by 1529...
England isolated, crown close to bankruptcy, few territorial gains, Great Matter ( divorce from K of A) more impossibile
Comments
No comments have yet been made